Question : Central Administrative Tribunal

(a) Whether the Government has taken note that the absence of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) bench in Andhra Pradesh causes great inconvenience to many petitioners as they have to travel to Hyderabad, in Telangana, for resolution of their disputes, if so, the details thereof;
(b) Whether the Government is aware that Vishakhapatnam is ideal for a new CAT Bench as it has many Central Government offices such as a steel plant, shipping and port trusts, HSL, DCIL, railways, airport, customs, excise, HPCL and LIC, wherein thousands of employees work, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) Whether the Government has considered the establishment of a CAT bench in Vishakhapatnam, if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) : Before the bifurcation of state of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the litigants of Andhra Pradesh could approach the Hyderabad Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal for resolution of their disputes arising out of service matters. After the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh, the jurisdiction of the bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal at Hyderabad has been extended to the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh vide notification dated 23.09.2014.

(b) : As per the judgment delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in S.P. Sampath Kumar etc. vs Union of India &Ors [1987 SCR (1) 435]dated 09.12.1986, the Government may set up a permanent bench at a place wherever there is a seat of the High Court. If it is not feasible then having regard to the volume of work, at least a circuit bench of the Central Administrative Tribunalbe set up. Further, according to Rule 3 of the Central Administrative Tribunal (Financial and Administrative Power) Rules, 1985, the power vests with the Chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal to take a decision for establishing a circuit bench.

(c) : As of now, there is no such proposal.