196. Constitution of Dispute Resolution Committee under section 379.

 (1) The Central Government shall constitute a Dispute Resolution Committee for every region of Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-tax for dispute resolution, as provided under section 379.

(2) Each Dispute Resolution Committee shall consist of three members, as given under: —

(a) two members shall be retired officers from the Indian Revenue Service (Income-tax), who have held the post of Commissioner of Income-tax or any equivalent or higher post for five years or more; and

(b) one ex-officio member, who shall be an officer not below the rank of Principal Commissioner of Income-tax or Commissioner of Income-tax as specified by the Board.

(3) The members shall be appointed by the Central Government for a period of three years.

(4) The Central Government may fix a sum to be paid as fee to both members, specified in sub-rule (2)(a), on a per case basis, along with a sitting fee, so decided by the Board.

(5) The decision of the Dispute Resolution Committee shall be by majority.

(6) The Central Government may, for reasons to be recorded in writing and after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard, remove any member from the Dispute Resolution Committee.