S. 226 : Collection and recovery Stay of demand- The CBDT’s Circulars & Instructions are in the nature of guidelines & cannot substitute or override the basic tenets – The AO is required to assist a taxpayer in every reasonable way-.Even if the assessee has not specifically invoked the three parameters for grant of stay, it is incumbent upon the AO to do so & pass a speaking order.[ S.220(3) , 220 (6) ]