Delhi School Tribunal | Proposal On Presiding Officer's Appointment Sent To Lieutenant Governor: Delhi Government To High Court

The Delhi government on Friday told the high court that the process for selection and appointment of Presiding Officer of Delhi School Education Tribunal will be commenced once it receives an approval from the Lieutenant Governor.

"A meeting was held with the Chief Secretary ... the minutes of meeting has been drawn. After preparation of minutes of meeting and some modalities for appointment of the presiding officer, it has been sent to the Hon'ble LG," a government counsel told the court.

The submission was made before the bench of Justice Yashwant Varma. In response to a query regarding the time frame within which the process will be completed, advocate Naushad Ahmed Khan submitted, "We are just waiting for approval from the Hon'ble LG. Thereafter, 60 days maximum".

Khan further told the court an interim arrangement has also been suggested. "During this vacuum period, it has also been suggested that Principal Secretary (Law) can function [as tribunal] for two days till regular appointment is made, in addition to his regular duties," he submitted.

The court was told the proposal has been sent by the Chief Secretary. Justice Varma said the court will list the matter after one month to review the progress.

"I hope something will come out. If one of the solution is that Principal Secretary can function in the meantime, then at least till vacuum period is there, things will happen," Khan submitted.

The court said, "Lets call it after one month and see what progress they have made".

The matter will heard next on January 19, 2023.

The court was dealing with a petition, filed in March this year, stating that an appeal instituted in 2016 is still pending before the tribunal.

In a similar development, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma on Thursday sought Delhi government's response on a public interest litigation seeking expeditious appointment of the Presiding Officer of Delhi School Tribunal, which has been non-functional since June 20.

Title: HARIPAL SINGH & ORS. vs PRESIDING OFFICER OF DELHI SCHOOL EDUCATION TRIBUNAL SH. DILBAGHSINGH PUNIA & ORS