Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response On VC Hearing Facilities, Appointments In Central Govt Industrial Tribunal

The Delhi High Court has sought a further status report from the Centre in respect of the conduct of hearings through virtual concerning mode in the Central Government Industrial Tribunal and appointments of additional members in the Tribunal. 

Justice Pratibha M Singh while listing the matter for further hearing on November 29 also dispensed the personal appearance of officers in the matter. 

During the course of hearing, the Court was apprised that the infrastructural facilities and constitution of a Search & Selection Committee for the members of the CGIT was under process and that the same would be constituted shortly.

The Court noted that two internet connections with 500 mbps speed were made available, and were being used for conduct of video conference hearings with the assistance of IT team of the High Court.

While the Court was informed that only one Bench of the Tribunal was holding regular hearings on a daily basis through the hybrid mode, it was also stated that steps towards appointment of a second presiding officer shall be taken expeditiously in the matter. 

"Let a further status report in respect of the conduct of hearings, appointments etc., be filed by Mr. Anil Soni, ld. CGSC on or before 23rd November 2021. If there is any impediment in the functioning of the CGIT, the same shall be brought to the notice of this Court through Mr. Anil Soni, ld. CGSC, on the next date of hearing," the Court added. 

Recently, expressing its dismay over the lack of infrastructure to conduct virtual hearings at the Tribunal, the Court said that the status report filed by the Centre depicted a "dismal state of affairs.

 It had also said that the infrastructure ought to be upgraded to ensure that whenever CGIT reopens, the facilities required to conduct full-fledged online hearings are ready.

The development came after the Court in July this year issued slew of directions in order to make the virtual hearing system in the Tribunal more efficient till the resumption of physical hearings.

"The CGIT is an important tribunal, dealing with claims relating to Workmen, who have been deeply affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the opinion of this court, for the expeditious and timely adjudication of the claims of Workmen, proceedings at the CGIT ought not to be adversely effected merely due to lack of proper infrastructure, as is seen from a perusal of the status report," the Court had said earlier.

Case Title: ABDUL MAJID AND ORS v. EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION AND ORS.

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