All India Federation of Tax Practitioners, constituted on 11th November, 1976, has its purposive existence for the last about 33 years. Presently, it has 114 professional associations as its affiliated members, over and above about 4305 life members consisting of designated Senior Advocates, Senior Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners from 24 States and 4 Union Territories.

The Federation is a symbol and spirit of national integration.

National President is assisted by a Deputy President, one Secretary General, five Vice-Presidents and five Joint Secretaries, one from each zone and a National Treasurer. It has a National Executive consisting of 35 elected members and 14 co-opted members apart from the office bearers. The 5 zones created for administrative convenience have their own elected Chairman, assisted by Vice Chairmen, one from each State and other office bearers and members. Tenure is now two years, against earlier 3 years upto 2005. The President is elected by rotation, from each zone. The Deputy President is elected as President for the next term. National Executive meet once in a quarter to coincide with National Tax Conference. No travel or stay expenses are reimbursed. All are working in full co-ordination and serving the tax fraternity.

The National President and Chairmen are well known Tax experts at National and Zonal level with innovative ideas, good vocabulary and clean image; men of integrity, well groomed over years, closely associated with the activities of the Federation and persons of eminence, who can run the Federation efficiently and effectively. Same are the norms for election of other office bearers and members, who have vast experience to serve. The Past Presidents continue to actively and constructively assist, advise and guide the office bearers and Executives Committees.

Since 1994 the Federation has become a vibrant and unique association at National level, with the following activities:

Organising Seminars in association with its affiliated members, other Tax Bar Associations, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Income Tax Settlement Commission, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal/Universities of Bombay, Allahabad and Rajasthan, Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture & Industry, Pune, Chandigarh Judicial Academy and many more tax and accountancy associations of repute. Continual organization of Two Day and One Day National Tax Seminars and Tax Conferences practically every month, sometimes twice a month at various destinations all over India, with participation exceeding 1000 at Varanasi in 2009 and at Jaipur exceeding 1200 in the year 2000. Such seminars/conferences are attended by members as well as non-members. The participants actively indulge in deliberations and discussions. The Conferences, Seminars have been inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Justices and Justices of Supreme Court and High Courts, Governors, Chief & Finance Ministers, Senior Tax Administrators, and high dignitaries. Souvenir containing papers and articles of day-to-day importance are printed. No alcohol or non-vegetarian food is served.

Has published more than 25 Tax Books in simple questions and answers form with moderate price. Many of its publications are sold out in short time and are being revised, enlarged and reprinted. The Federation has associated Ranka Public Charitable Trust for publication on ‘No gain-no loss basis”.

In order to get tax laws simplified and rational has filed more than 20 Writ Petitions in public interest. Representations are made to the Central and State Governments and higher tax administration for redressal of grievances and simplification of tax laws.

Has adopted the convention that the office bearers and members of the National Committee, Zonal Committees, Chairman, Faculty at the seminars and Conferences bear their own travel and stay costs, pay registration fee and do not claim any reimbursement. They serve smilingly with devotion and dedication, at their own cost.

Organizing N. A. Palkhivala National Tax Moot Court at Mumbai since 2004 and Shri Rajaram Agarwal Memorial National Tax Moot Court Competition at Allahabad, since 2009.

Publishes monthly AIFTP Journal and AIFTP Times for its members and subscribers. The AIFTP Journal covers the latest reported and unreported decisions of the Courts and Tribunals including the articles, opinions and latest developments on direct and indirect taxes. The unique feature is that every quarter, is publish the gist of important case laws published in 33 Tax Magazines from all
over the country. East Zone also issue AIFTP Times East.

Has voluntarily adopted the Code of Ethics for its members in its Constitution. Ethics is the way of life Code of Standard formulated by the Federation has been adopted by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal for its members.

Developing brotherhood, fraternity, affinity and family relationship between the members and live in cordial atmosphere as members of a joint Hindu family upholding dignity of all.

The tenure of the present National Executive and Zonal Committee is to end by 31st December, 2009. It is a convention that the same person be not elected consecutively for two term. It is desirable that dual office/membership of National Executive and Zonal Committee is avoided. Elections of the Zonal Committees are likely to be held in the month of November, 2009 so that persons who are elected/co-opted in the Zonal Committee would not be elected or co-opted at the National Executive election whereof would be on 18th December, 2009 at the 15th National Tax Convention at Jaipur. Requisite notices shall be published in the month of October/November, 2009 in its publications.

To promote two day Tax Seminars/Conferences the Federation has installed ‘Ranka Tax Best Seminar Award’ since 1994 and on the suggestion of Shri M. D. Sodani, Chairman, Central Zone, for the day as well from 2008. The Federation has also set up ‘Ranka Best Chairman Award’ to be judged on the working of each zone, since 2006. The organizers and the Zone Chairmen are advised to send complete information about such seminars, held during the tenure 2008 and 2009, by 10th November, 2009 to enable the selection committee to select. Winners shall be awarded the Award by ‘Ranka Public Charitable Trust’ on 19th December, 2009 at the National Convention at Jaipur.

I humbly appeal to elect such member who are willing to serve the tax fraternity, by expanding the Federation quantitatively as well as qualitatively and make it an unified strong institution to reckon. Members who have no time or desire to discharge their bounden duty religiously and expeditiously would not contest and the members need not elect such busy bee. I request to serve with dedication, devotion and determination, to make the Federation an unique and strong institution at the National Level.

N. M. Ranka
Past President