Delhi High Court Seeks Status Report On Filling Up Of Vacancies In CGIT-1, Rouse Avenue Court

Noting that the process of filling up of vacancies was still underway  in Central Government Industrial Tribunal-1, present at city's Rouse Avenue Court Complex, the Delhi High Court has sought a status report to be filed disclosing the vacancy position in the Tribunal.

Justice Pratibha M Singh granted four weeks time to the Central Government for filing of the said status report.

The development came after the Court had earlier passed an order in respect of the infrastructure in the CGIT for virtual hearings and had also sought a status report regarding the filling up of vacancies in CGIT.

"It appears that post the passing of the above order, the process of filling of vacancies in CGIT-1 is still underway," the Court said.

The Court was dealing with a petition filed by 44 part-time sweepers who were employed with the Punjab National Bank. The grievance of the Petitioners was that their industrial disputes have been pending for more than 10 years before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal, and the same were not being adjudicated upon.

It was therefore submitted that recently, there were no hearings being held in CGIT-1, Rouse Avenue Court Complex, Delhi due to lack of quorum.

The Court was informed that there was no Presiding Officer in CGIT-I and thus hearings in the matter were currently not taking place.

On the other hand, the Centre submitted that the first meeting of the Search-cum-Selection Committee was held in December, 2021 and that the draft advertisement was sent for approval and the same which is likely to be issued shortly.

The matter will now be heard on April 18.

Previously, 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.

Title: RAMESH KUMAR & ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

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