{"id":38536,"date":"2025-03-05T18:55:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=38536"},"modified":"2025-03-05T18:55:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:25:57","slug":"sc-calls-for-strengthening-of-tribunals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-03-2025\/sc-calls-for-strengthening-of-tribunals","title":{"rendered":"SC Calls for Strengthening of Tribunals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Syllabus: GS2\/ Polity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • The Supreme Court stressed the need to strengthen tribunals<\/strong> highlighting issues in staff appointments, service conditions, and judicial tenure while reviewing the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    What are Tribunals?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies<\/strong> established to resolve disputes in specialized areas, ensuring faster and expert adjudication. The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) added Part XIV-A to the Constitution<\/strong>, introducing:\n
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      • Article 323A:<\/strong> Allows Parliament to set up Administrative Tribunals for public service matters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Article 323B:<\/strong> Empowers Parliament and state legislatures to establish tribunals for taxation, land reforms, industry, and elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Key Issues Affecting Tribunals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • Lack of Judicial Independence: <\/strong>Executive control over appointments, short tenure, and interference dilute tribunals’ autonomy.\n
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          • Example: <\/strong>The Supreme Court struck down certain provisions of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, which restricted judicial dominance in selection committees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Case Backlogs:<\/strong> Heavy pendency due to vacancies and slow disposal of cases.\n
              \n
            • Example:<\/strong> Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has 18,829 cases pending (2021).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Staffing and Infrastructure Deficiencies: <\/strong>Lack of human resources, inadequate facilities, and poor service conditions.\n
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              • Example: <\/strong>NCLT staff recruitment on a contractual basis raised concerns over security and efficiency in handling sensitive cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Overlapping Jurisdiction:<\/strong> Tribunals and regular courts often handle similar cases, leading to confusion.\n
                  \n
                • Example: <\/strong>The Supreme Court has observed frequent conflicts between NCLT and High Courts in corporate law matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Enhancing Judicial Independence: <\/strong>Ensure tribunals have judicial dominance in appointments and protection from executive interference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Setting up a National Tribunals Commission (NTC): <\/strong>A centralized body to oversee tribunal administration, appointments, and working conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Filling Vacancies & Infrastructure Development: <\/strong>Expedite appointments and provide better facilities for tribunal members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Jurisdiction Clarity: <\/strong>Clearly define the scope of tribunal cases to avoid conflicts with regular courts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Source: HT<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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