Minimise pendency in CAT: Narayanasamy

Union Minister V Narayanasamy today emphasised on reducing pendency of cases in Central Administrative Tribunal.
"There is still room for improvement in its efficiency. It is observed that by the end of January 2013, as many as 805 cases were pending for more than five years. We should try to minimise such pendency," he said during a day-long conference on the functioning of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions requested the Chairman and members of the tribunal to accelerate the pace of disposal of cases.
He said there is an urgent need to strengthen CAT and make it more effective.

The government is considering to amend Administrative Tribunal Act to streamline the functioning of CAT, Narayanasamy said.
He said a proposal to bring about uniformity of tenure, service conditions etc of the members of all judicial tribunals is also under consideration of the government.

"To evolve a consensus on these issues, an Inter Ministerial Group has been set up," the Minister said.
The conference deliberated on certain issues concerning the tribunal and to improve the working conditions of the institution.
The CAT came into existence in November 1985 and is entrusted with the task of adjudicating complaints and other service matters pertaining to central government employees, including those working in PSUs.

The day-long conference was attended by all 65 members from the 17 regular benches and the principal bench of CAT.