50. Constitution of Appellate Tribunal

(1) The Government shall constitute an Appellate Tribunal consisting of, subject to the provisions of sub-section

(2), a Chairman and two other members to exercise the functions conferred on the Appellate Tribunal by or under this Act. The Chairman shall be a Judicial Officer not below the rank of a District Judge and the other two members shall possess such qualifications as may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Government may, from time to time, appoint such number of persons to be additional members of the Appellate Tribunal as the Government may deem necessary and for such period as may be specified in this behalf:

Provided that as nearly as may be one half of such additional members shall be Judicial Officers not below the rank of a Subordinate Judge and the remaining additional members shall possess such qualifications as may be prescribed.

(3) Any vacancy in the membership of the Appellate Tribunal shall be filled by the Government.

(4) (a) The functions of the Appellate Tribunal may be exercised -

(i) by a Bench consisting of three members constituted by the Chairman; or

(ii) by a Bench consisting of two members constituted by the Chairman;

(iii) by a single member of the Appellate Tribunal nominated in this behalf by the Chairman, in cases where the disputed turnover as determined by the assessing authority does not exceed one lakh of rupees.

Explanation .—The single member referred to in sub-clause (iii) may be either the Chairman or any Other member:

Provided that, if any case which comes up before a single member (who is not the Chairman) or a Bench (of which the Chairman is not a member) involves a question of law, such single member or Bench may, in his or its discretion, reserve such case for decision by a Bench of which the Chairman shall be a member.

(b) Where an appeal or application is heard by a Bench consisting of three members and the members differ in opinion on any point, the point shall be decided in accordance with the opinion of the majority.

(c) Where an appeal or application is heard by a Bench consisting of two members, and the members are divided in their opinion on any point, the point shall be referred for decision to a Bench consisting of three members, of whom one shall be the Chairman.

(5) The Appellate Tribunal shall, with the previous sanction of the Government, make by notification, 1 regulations consistent with the provisions of this Act and the rules made there under for regulating the constitution and the procedure and the disposal of its business.