Delhi High Court Seeks Status Report On Staffing & Infrastructure To Handle Backlog Of Cases In Central Government Industrial Tribunal

The Delhi High Court has directed Centre to file a status report on the aspect of staffing and infrastructure requirements to handle backlog of cases in Central Government Industrial Tribunal (CGIT).

Justice Pratibha M Singh also directed the following aspects to be included in the status report:

- Whether the Central Government has contemplated integration of CGIT website with eCourts India website/NJDG and whether there are any proposals to this effect, which are pending.

- The timeline within which all the data relating to the pendency before the CGIT, the order sheets and the judgments of the CGIT to be uploaded on its own website will be implemented.

The Court was dealing with a plea filed by a workman raising various issues regarding the non-availability of proceeding sheets, orders and other data relating to the pending cases of the CGIT on its website.

It was argued on behalf of the petitioner that only one bench of the CGIT was functioning and that the data relating to the CGIT in respect of number of cases and the pendency were also not available on the CGIT website.

"The court has accessed the respective websites of Labour Courts and CGIT and observed that data relating to Labour Courts are accessible on the eCourts India website, however the CGIT data is not available. In view of the submissions made before the Court today, this Court is of the prima facie view that the directions given in the aforementioned order by this Court have not been given effect to by the CGIT," the Court said.

The Court was referring to its order dated 30th November 2021 in SDMC v. Satish & Ors. whereby it had directed that the Labour Courts and the CGIT ought to upload their orders on their websites within 48 hours.

Accordingly, the Court was of the view that an explanation was due from the Registrar, CGIT as to what steps were taken pursuant to the orders passed by the Court.

"The Respondent Nos.1 & 3 shall place a status report as to the (3) (4) status of the CGIT in terms of the appointments and number of Benches which are currently functioning," the Court ordered.

The report is directed to be submitted within four weeks.

The Court also directed the Registrar, CGIT to file an affidavit regarding the reason for delay in the implementation of the judicial directions.

The matter will now be heard on April 5.

Also Read: Delhi HC Issues Directions For Efficient Functioning Of Central Government Industrial Tribunal

Case Title: POOJA SAROJ v. MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT GOVT. OF versus INDIA AND ORS

Click Here To Read Order