VTPA requested CBDT for creation of a separate charge of Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) at Nagpur for Vidarbha region

 

To
The Chairman
Central Board of Direct Taxes
North Block,

New Delhi-01.

Subject: Representation for creation of a separate charge of Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) at Nagpur for Vidarbha region

Respected Sir,

The Vidarbha Tax Practitioners Association (VTPA) respectfully submits this representation for your kind consideration regarding the urgent need for creation of a separate charge of Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) at Nagpur.

At present, the jurisdiction over charitable trusts and institutions in the entire Vidarbha region is vested with the office of Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) located at Pune. As a result, taxpayers, professionals, and stakeholders in Vidarbha are required to depend entirely on a distant jurisdiction for all matters relating to registration, approval, compliance, and grievance redressal under the provisions governing charitable institutions.

Vidarbha is a vast region comprising of 11 major districts such as Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia, Wardha, Gadchiroli, and Washim. The distance between Nagpur and Pune is approximately 700–750 kilometers. Physical interface, wherever required, becomes time-consuming and costly. Even virtual coordination suffers due to jurisdictional disconnect and administrative load. This results in practical difficulty in effective representation and timely compliance, particularly for small and medium charitable institutions.

Vidarbha has witnessed significant growth in educational institutions, medical and healthcare trusts, and rural development and social welfare organizations. The number of applications for registration under section 12AB, approval under section 80G, amendments, renewals, and compliance matters has increased substantially in recent years. This growing volume justifies the need for a dedicated administrative setup within the region.

Creation of a separate Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) charge at Nagpur would reduce the burden on the Pune office, improve speed and efficiency of disposal of applications, enable better monitoring and verification of charitable activities, and enhance taxpayer service and grievance redressal. It would also align with the broader objective of decentralisation and ease of compliance.

Vidarbha is a distinct geographical and socio-economic region of Maharashtra. Despite having a full-fledged Income-tax administrative setup and offices of senior authorities, there is no dedicated Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) charge in the region. This creates a regional imbalance and places Vidarbha at a disadvantage compared to regions having local exemption authorities.

In the absence of a local Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption), communication gaps lead to delays in processing applications, clarifications and hearings become less effective, taxpayers face uncertainty and procedural hardship, and smaller trusts, especially in rural areas, are disproportionately affected.

Nagpur is the administrative and commercial hub of Vidarbha. It is strategically located and well connected to all districts and already hosts key Income-tax offices. Establishing a Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) charge at Nagpur would be logistically efficient and administratively viable.

In view of the above, we humbly request that a separate charge of Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) may kindly be created at Nagpur, jurisdiction over the Vidarbha region may be assigned to the said charge, and necessary administrative and technical infrastructure may be provided to ensure smooth functioning.

The creation of a Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) office at Nagpur will go a long way in improving taxpayer services, reducing hardship, and strengthening the administration of charitable institutions in the region.

We sincerely hope that this genuine and long-standing requirement of the Vidarbha region will receive your kind and favourable consideration.

We shall be grateful for an early resolution of this matter.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,
For Vidarbha Tax Practitioners Association

 

 

CA Mahendra Jain                                    CA Naresh Jakhotia

President                                                     Secretary

The copy of the representation is as under:

Vtpa letter 2