The Supreme Court on Tuesday raised concerns regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of state administrative tribunals (SATs) across the country, questioning the prudence of maintaining these institutions amid ongoing issues with vacancies and increased litigation costs. Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, who were presiding over a plea related to the filling of vacancies in the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal, expressed frustration over the continuous flow of petitions concerning tribunal staffing.
The bench conveyed its concerns to Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, about the operational challenges and bureaucratic inefficiencies plaguing these tribunals. “What is the point in keeping these institutions when we don’t have manpower to manage it,” the bench questioned, highlighting the paradox of maintaining bodies that ostensibly contribute to judicial backlog and elevate litigation costs for the public.
During the hearing, the justices noted the recurring pattern where orders are challenged in the high court, only to be redirected back to the tribunals, further delaying case resolutions. This cyclical process not only extends the duration of legal disputes but also burdens the parties involved with additional costs.
Addressing the issue, Justice Surya Kant suggested a potential reform: abolishing the SATs and instead increasing the number of judges in the high courts to handle the cases originally designated for tribunals. He referenced his own experience as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, where he advocated for an increase in the sanctioned strength of judges rather than filling vacancies in the tribunals—a proposal that was eventually accepted.
The court ultimately disposed of the petition and directed the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court to ensure that the process of filling tribunal vacancies is expedited, ideally six months ahead of an anticipated vacancy. This directive aims to prevent future disruptions in tribunal functions due to staffing shortages.
