Dr Jitendra thanks PM for approving DoPT proposal
Ladakh employees can approach both Jammu, Sgr benches
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 28: Jammu and Kashmir today became the first Union Territory in the country to have two benches of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi-headed Union Cabinet approving a proposal mooted by Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, Incharge Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
“The Union Cabinet which met today in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Modi cleared the proposal for creation of two posts each of Judicial and Administrative Members for two new CAT benches,” the officials said.
It was on June 8, 2020 after abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of erstwhile State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh that Dr Jitendra Singh had inaugurated CAT bench in Jammu which had jurisdiction over J&K and Ladakh.
Now there will be two benches—one each for Jammu and Srinagar which will have jurisdiction over the two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the officials said.
The employees of Ladakh can approach any of the two benches for redressal of their grievances, they said.
Significance of two CAT benches in Jammu and Kashmir, can be well gauged from the fact that prior to setting up of one bench in Jammu in 2020, the CAT bench at Chandigarh used to cater to the States like Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Soon after the Union Cabinet approved the proposal, Dr Jitendra Singh tweeted: “CAT benches for Jammu and Srinagar. Thanks PM Narendra Modi. Cabinet meeting held today and chaired by the PM has approved the proposal moved by the DoPT Ministry of Personnel, for creation of two posts of Judicial Members and two posts of Administrative Members for two new benches of Central Administrative Tribunal to be set up at Jammu and Srinagar to cater to the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh”.
The Union Minister added that this will be huge relief and convenience for the Government employees.
“After the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh became two separate Union Territories and accordingly employees of the erstwhile State of J&K became the employees of the UTs. As such, the disputes pertaining to their service matters are now to be adjudicated by the CAT.
“For this purpose, the Government of India has established two benches of CAT—one each at Jammu and Srinagar. The posts of Judicial and Administration Members (two each) have been created for the two benches,” the officials said.
They added that a total of about 13000 cases have been transferred to Central Administrative Tribunal from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Department of Expenditure has already approved the proposal for creation of posts for support staff,” the officials said.
According to them, two posts of Judicial Members and two posts of Administrative Members for Jammu and Srinagar benches of Central Administrative Tribunal will be filled up so as to make the two benches of CAT functional at Jammu and Srinagar.
“This will provide speedy and affordable justice to the employees of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territories by adjudicating the disputes arising out of their service matters,” the official said.
An annual expenditure of Rs 1.03 crore will be incurred on the setting up of new benches.
They added that all employees of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will be beneficiaries of the Government decision on setting up two benches of Central Administrative Tribunal.
The official said the Central Administrative Tribunal has been functioning since its inception on November 1, 1985 and has been an effective mechanism in the redressal of disputes arising out of service matters of the Government employees. It has 17 benches apart from the newly established benches of Jammu and Srinagar. So far, as on 31.5.2021, a total of 8,54,654 cases have been instituted, out of which, 7,85,986 were disposed of representing 91.96 percent disposal rate.
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