SC asks Centre for uniform plan to revive tribunals within 4 weeks

The Supreme Court of India on Monday directed the Centre to submit a uniform and comprehensive proposal for the management of all tribunals within four weeks , citing serious concerns over vacancies and administrative uncertainty that have rendered several quasi-judicial bodies defunct.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant , hearing a petition by the Madras Bar Association , said the lack of a streamlined legislative framework had placed tribunals in a state of limbo and urged the government to present a holistic roadmap, including whether new legislation or major amendments were planned.

Tribunals, set up to ease the burden on courts and handle specialised disputes, have been hit by prolonged vacancies, short tenures and delays in appointments, affecting their independence and efficiency.

As an interim measure, the court ordered that Justice Rajesh Khare continue as chairman of the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) and granted a similar extension to the DRAT Kolkata chairperson to prevent the bodies from becoming non-functional.

The court recalled its November 19 ruling striking down key provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 on appointments and tenure, and reiterated that Parliament cannot override judicial decisions through minor legislative changes.

Reaffirming the need for structural reform, the bench again directed the Centre to establish a National Tribunals Commission to ensure independence, transparency and uniformity in tribunal administration across the country.