CJI Gavai inaugurates 10th All India Conference of the CAT

Chief Justice of India Justice B R Gavai inaugurated the 10th All India Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal CAT in New Delhi on Saturday morning. In his address, Chief Justice Gavai said, these Tribunals are designed to improve efficiency and access to justice for government officials. He said, CAT has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal over last four decades since its inception. Stressing on the need for greater consistency in the tribunal’s rulings and transparency in its functioning, the Chief Justice of India said, everyone who approaches the tribunal must feel that the decision is well reasoned.

Gavai said some of the non-judicial members of the tribunals, who are usually ex-bureaucrats, are averse to passing any orders against the government and urged them to reflect. The CJI flagged various issues plaguing the tribunals and the country's justice delivery system.He added that regular workshops, conferences and training programmes conducted by judicial academicians can prove invaluable in this regard and greatly enhance the effectiveness of the tribunal members. CJI Gavai also flagged the issue of uniform service conditions for members of tribunals and said the government needs to address this issue urgently.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that even when the tribunal’s order is correct, officials insist to file an appeal. He said this tendency of automatic appeals needs to be reconsidered. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, CAT was established to give ease of justice for Government employees and to reduce backlog in high courts.

The 10th All India Conference aims to deliberate on the way forward for strengthening the judicial and administrative system, with particular emphasis on enhancing efficiency, improving disposal rates, and ensuring timely delivery of justice to government employees.

Attorney General R Venkatramani also spoke on the occasion and highlighted that the tribunals help in reducing the pendency of litigation.On November 1, 1985, the Central Administrative Tribunal was established under the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985. This tribunal addresses disputes and complaints regarding the recruitment and service conditions of individuals appointed to public services and posts associated with the affairs of the Union, States, and other local authorities under the Government of India.