Q. With reference to tribunals, consider the following statements:
1. The original constitution did not provide for establishment of Tribunals.
2. Each High Court holds a separate bench of Central Administrative Tribunal.
3. The present sanctioned strength of CAT is 65 members and one Chairman.
How many statements given above are correct?
Exp) Option b is the correct answer
Due to complexity of cases and increased litigations, tribunals were thought of as a medium to ease the pressure on lower judiciary for specific matters. Hence amendments were made as follows:
Statement 1 is correct – The original Constitution did not contain provisions with respect to tribunals. The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added a new Part XIV-A to the Constitution. This part is entitled as ‘Tribunals’ and consists of only two Articles–Article 323 A dealing with administrative tribunals and Article 323 B dealing with tribunals for other matters.
Statement 2 is incorrect – There is no provision for benches of CAT to be in each High Court. For ex Jabalpur High Court holds the bench for Chhattisgarh too etc. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was set up in 1985 with the principal bench at Delhi and additional benches in different states. At present, it has 17 regular benches, 15 of which operate at the principal seats of high courts and the remaining two at Jaipur and Lucknow. These benches also hold circuit sittings at other seats of high courts.
Statement 3 is correct – At present (2021), the sanctioned strength of the Chairman is one and sanctioned strength of the Members is 65. They are drawn from both judicial and administrative streams and are appointed by the president. They hold office for a term of five years or until they attain the age of 65 years in case of chairman and 62 years in case of members, whichever is earlier.
