Review of Functioning of Tribunal System in the Country

The Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice examined the functioning and capacities of five key Tribunals (ITAT, RCT, TDSAT, NGT, and NCLT) to identify operational bottlenecks and recommend improvements in the quasi-judicial system that resolves disputes for citizens and businesses.

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Law and Justice, and the public affected includes taxpayers, railway claimants, telecom consumers, environmental stakeholders, and corporate entities involved in insolvency or company law disputes.

• Vacancies: The Committee observed member shortages in almost all examined Tribunals, including 27 vacant posts in ITAT and understaffing in NGT, and recommended initiating appointment processes in advance of anticipated vacancies.
• Staffing: The Committee noted that reliance on temporary or outsourced non-judicial staff impacts efficiency, and recommended establishing waitlists, conducting manpower audits, and revising NCLT Recruitment Rules to expand direct recruitment avenues.
• Digital Security: The Committee recommended regular cyber-security audits for ITAT to prevent misuse of taxpayer information following the implementation of its e-Dwar portal.
• RCT Digitization: The Committee recommended expanding the e-RCT project to include a fully digital e-filing system, real-time case tracking, allowing claims from any location, introducing pre-litigation mediation, and standardizing compensation.
• NGT IT Infrastructure: The Committee noted the absence of a dedicated IT section in NGT and recommended establishing a structured IT division with specialized technical posts to support e-filing and virtual hearings.
• Case Pendency: The Committee recommended reducing RCT timelines for written statements and reports, prioritizing long-pending insolvency cases in NCLT, stage-wise tracking of NGT cases, and examining the feasibility of dedicated insolvency benches in NCLT.
• Infrastructure: The Committee highlighted deficiencies such as ageing buildings and rented premises, and recommended adequate budgetary support, completing ongoing construction, and developing permanent facilities in line with National Court Management System (NCMS) standards.
• TDSAT Jurisdiction: The Committee recommended expanding TDSAT's role in consumer disputes, creating an independent Telecom Ombudsman, and spreading public awareness on Aadhaar-related appeal procedures.

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