Bill deems Tribunal appointees retired from prior government service

It aims to standardize these terms across different bodies established under various specified Acts.

Who it concerns: The Bill applies to the Chairmen and Members (excluding ex officio members) of the 26 specific bodies listed in the First Schedule, such as the Company Law Board, National Green Tribunal, and Securities Appellate Tribunal. It does not apply to individuals holding these offices immediately before the Act's commencement.

What the bill does

• Tenure is fixed at five years, with eligibility for reappointment for one additional term.
• Age limits for holding office are 70 years for former Supreme Court Judges, 67 years for former High Court Judges, and 65 years for others.
• Chairmen and Members are prohibited from acting as arbitrators while in office, though the Central Government may permit completion of uncompleted arbitration work.
• Upon leaving office, they are prohibited from appearing, acting, or pleading before the specific Tribunal or Authority where they served.
• Specific allowances are defined, including a consolidated sum of Rs. 3,00,000 for the Chairman and Rs. 2,00,000 for Members for official residence furnishing.
• Travel allowances include business/club class air travel and a daily allowance not exceeding Rs. 5,000 for accommodation and food.
• Leave rules include a leave account system, encashment of up to 300 days of earned leave on retirement, and a maximum of 14 days of casual leave per year.
• The Central Government has the power to amend the First Schedule to include other bodies, provided they have a sitting or retired Supreme Court or High Court Judge as Chairman or Member.

Also in the document

• The Bill includes a provision that if a person was in government service immediately before assuming office, they are deemed to have retired from that service on the date they enter the Tribunal office.
• Pension suspension rules apply: if a person opted to draw a pension from previous government service, their salary as Chairman or Member is reduced by the amount of that pension.
• The Central Government Health Scheme benefits are extended to Chairmen and Members who are not sitting or retired Judges or retired Central Government servants.