Centre tells SC progress made in dealing with tribunal issues

The Centre today informed the Supreme Court that "substantial progress" has been made in bringing out uniformity in dealing with appointment, tenure and facilities for judges heading judicial or quasi-judicial tribunals.
The apex court also took on record the statement of Attorney General G E Vahanvati that after getting the Cabinet's nod on the matter, it would be placed before Parliament for bringing in amendments in relevant statutes.
A bench of justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya posted the matter for further hearing on December 6.
The bench had on December 4, last year, warned that failure to comply with its order would force it to stay such appointments and had asked the Centre to take corrective measures to bring uniformity in the prevailing statutes governing the functioning of tribunals.

The court was informed that there were over 60 tribunals functioning in the country to be headed by such persons who are either sitting or retired judges or Chief Justices of apex court or high courts.
The bench was anguished over the manner in which judges appointed to the posts were denied accommodation or facilities to which they were entitled to under the respective statutes.
The court was hearing a matter relating to setting up of benches and accomodation for the members of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The Centre, meanwhile, informed the bench that the Pune Bench of the NGT will be inaugurated by its Chairman in the second week of this month.