The Supreme Court once again took a dig at the government regarding tribunal appointments.
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today criticized the government for “cherry-picking” its recommendations to tribunals across the country. The government has been given two weeks to complete the tribunal’s appointments and the Supreme Court has sternly said: “Return with the appointment letter.”
Chief Justice NV Ramana said during the hearing, “We are a democratic country. You have to follow the rule of law.”
“I have seen NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) appointments… and recommendations were made. But (d) in appointments, cherry picking was done. What kind of selection is this? And the same thing (done) Along with the members of ITAT (Income Tax Appellate Tribunal) also. We are very unhappy with how the decisions are being taken,” the Chief Justice said.
“I am also a part of the NCLT selection committee. We interviewed 544 people… out of which we named 11 judicial members and 10 technical members. Of all these recommendations, only a few were appointed by the government. Rest names Went on the waiting list.”
In a series of scathing remarks, the Chief Justice underlined that the government’s approach is “very unfortunate”. “We traveled all over the country to do interviews. We wasted our time? We traveled amid Covid because the government requested us to conduct interviews,” he said.
To this Attorney General KK Venugopal replied: “The government is entitled not to follow certain recommendations”.
“What is the sanctity of the selection committee (whose composition also includes judges of the Supreme Court) if the government is going to make the final decision?” Justice L Nageswara Rao asked.
Last week, The Supreme Court had reprimanded the government A large number of vacancies in tribunals, or quasi-judicial bodies, across the country. Chief Justice NV Ramana said “we feel the government has no respect for this court” and warned “you (government) are testing our patience”.
The Chief Justice said, “We are upset… but we do not want a confrontation with the government, to which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta replied: “The government does not even want a confrontation.
“Vacancies in important tribunals like NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) and NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal)…they are important for the economy. Vacancies in armed forces and consumer tribunals are also causing delay in resolution of cases ,” said the court.
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