Pranav B Prem

The Government of India has appointed Balaji Manoharan, an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS, Customs & Indirect Taxes: 2015 batch), as Joint Registrar of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) on deputation basis. The appointment has been made through an official order issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and will be for a period of three years from the date of his joining or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

According to Office Order No. 23/2025, signed by Kuldeep Chaudhary, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Balaji Manoharan, who is currently serving as Joint Commissioner, Jaipur GST & Central Excise Zone, has been appointed to the post of Joint Registrar, GSTAT, Chennai, in Level-12 of the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix. The order specifies that he must assume charge at the Principal Bench of GSTAT, New Delhi, within 21 days from the date of issuance of the order.

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The order further clarifies that Shri Manoharan will be deemed to have been relieved on the date of expiry of the deputation period, unless the competent authority approves an extension in writing before the end of the term. It cautions that any overstay beyond the approved deputation period will attract disciplinary action and adverse service consequences, including the period of overstay not being counted for pension and increments, and that proceedings for deemed resignation may be initiated if the officer fails to rejoin his parent cadre after completion of deputation.

The deputation will be governed by the rules and instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T) from time to time. The appointment marks a key administrative addition to the newly operational Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), which is in the process of constituting its Principal Bench in New Delhi and various State Benches, including the one at Chennai, to adjudicate appeals under the GST regime.