CAT bar association abstains from work

CHANDIGARH, January 20: Proceedings in Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) came to a standstill as the CAT Bar Association abstained from work here today. The members of the association are protesting the proposal of Committee of Secretaries to replace the Tribunal by Ombudsman.

The members, during an emergent general body meeting, have stated that in spite of teething problems, transfer applications filed up to 1991, have been disposed off by the tribunal. This is in sharp contrast with the disposal of cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court where certain regular matters are pending since 1982.

The delay is caused due to the delay tactics adopted by the various departments. The replies are not filed in time. Even the directions are not adhered to by the departments, forcing the litigants to file contempt petitions, and cause further delay.

An Ombudsman, being an administrative member, was not capable of dealing with the administrative law as the Supreme Court had time and again asserted that casesinvolving questions of law and interpretation of statutory law should not be dealt by the administrative members alone, they have added.