Delhi High Court Seeks Status Report From Registrar Of Central Govt Industrial Tribunal On Upgradation Of Infrastructure For Holding VC Hearings

The Delhi High Court has sought status report from Registrar of the Central Government Industrial Tribunal (CGIT) on upgradation of infrastructure for holding VC hearings in the Tribunal.

Justice Pratibha M Singh 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.

"Accordingly, the Registrar of the CGIT shall file a status report/affidavit as to the upgradation of infrastructure for holding video conferencing hearing within two weeks, failing which, the Registrar shall appear before this Court on the next date of hearing," the Court directed.

The Court noted the submission that recently due to the indisposition of one of the Members of the Tribunal, the functioning has been slightly impeded. 

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.

"As noted in the last order, CGIT being an important Tribunal which is required to function regularly, the status report is absolutely crucial in order to ensure that the infrastructure for holding video conferencing hearings is available," the Court said while listing the matter for further consideration on October 21.

"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.

The Court had posted the matter for September 20 for the purpose of receiving the status report in respect of the upgradation of video conferencing facilities, as also in respect of the appointment of the second Presiding Officer in the CGIT bench.

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

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