In the latest update, Chief Justice N.V Ramana on Friday highlighted that there was a long list of vacancies and told the Centre to clear their stand on keeping the tribunals across the country open or closed.
Bench Reads Out Long List Of Vacant Tribunals
As per the latest reports, the bench also comprised Justice Surya Kant and said that the delay by the Centre in filling up the tribunals is leaving people without appropriate legal assistance. The bench read out vacancies of 19 presiding officers, 111 technical numbers and 110 judicial members.
The bench said that they are not sure of the government’s stand on the issue. While questioning Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who represents the Centre, said that something needs to be done about the vacancies. They further added that the impression is that the bureau does not need more tribunals. And in this regard, the Centre should clear their stand.
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In the statement, the Supreme Court also warned the Centre that it will seek the presence of its top level offices if any action is not taken in the matter within a week.
The Chief Justice, referring to the recent judgement in the Madras Bar Associations, said that this would be an unending thing.
“How many times did Madras Bar file petitions? Three judges, five judges and then again three judges passed judgments”, said the Chief Justice.
SC Bench Notes Sorry State of Affairs Regarding GST Tribunals
Following the Chief Justice’s statement, Justice Surya Kant said that the Centre cannot keep people without remedy because of Centre’s unclear stand.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also issued notice to the Centre and the GST council on a PIL by lawyer Amit Sahni. The top court made these observations while hearing other matters related to the vacancies in different tribunals across the country.
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The bench said that it was a “sorry state of affairs” that even after four years of the GST coming into place, the GST tribunals are not ready and set up yet.
