National tax conference begins in Patna; Justice Sudhir Singh advocated for reforms to minimize disputes.

Patna, January 17, 2026: On the occasion of the Centenary Year of the Bihar Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BCCI) and the Golden Jubilee celebration of the All India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTP), a two-day National Conference commenced on Saturday at the premises of the BCCI in Patna.

The conference was formally inaugurated by Justice Sudhir Singh of the Patna High Court through the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.

Need for tax reforms:

In his inaugural address, Justice Sudhir Singh praised the collective efforts of the organizing institutions, describing such selfless initiatives as highly commendable in the present times.

Referring to both direct and indirect taxation, he observed that there remains significant scope for reforms and emphasized that professionals must play a proactive role in minimizing disputes faced by people.

Welcoming the delegates, Conference Chairman and BCCI President PK Agrawal said it was a matter of pride that such a large-scale national conference was being organized in Patna, the capital of Bihar.

He highlighted the legacy of the BCCI, noting that it has been a premier institution representing trade and industry since its establishment in 1926 and is currently celebrating its centenary year.

He added that besides safeguarding the interests of entrepreneurs and businesses, the chamber has also been actively involved in various social initiatives.

Addressing the gathering, AIFTA National President S Venkataramani thanked the BCCI for hosting the conference and stressed the importance of meaningful deliberations on reforms in both direct and indirect taxes.

AIFTA National Vice President Vivekanand Mohanty suggested measures to further simplify the system.

Bihar Income Tax Bar Association President Advocate Ajay Rastogi underlined the urgent need for reforms in direct taxation, while Bihar Commercial Taxes Bar Association President Advocate PK Mishra spoke about simplifying indirect taxes.

AIFTA zonal chairman advocate Saurabh expressed gratitude to all participating professionals and thanked Justice Sudhir Singh for gracing the event.

Conference after 21 years; Focus on young professionals:  

Continuing his address, PK Agrawal informed that the National Tax Conference is being organized in Patna after a gap of 21 years.

The primary objective, he said, is to update young advocates, chartered accountants, and company secretaries on the latest developments in taxation so they can effectively apply this knowledge in their professional practice, benefiting small traders and the general public.

Another key objective of the conference is to deliberate on possible reforms to reduce public hardship, with recommendations to be forwarded to the government for consideration and implementation.

For the first time, the conference is also featuring a dedicated session on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Addressing this session, Shyam Agrawal said that AI would not replace professionals but would instead create new opportunities, making it essential for tax practitioners to understand and adopt AI-driven tools in the coming years.

Also Read: BCCI urges the Bihar government to set up MSME facilitation councils in every division.

EOM.