Centre asked to respond on CAT issue by Dec 5

Ranchi, Nov 5 (UNI) The Jharkhand High Court today directed the Central Government to file a counter-affidavit before December 5 regarding the establishment of a permanent bench of Central Administrative Tribunal for the State here.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Muthuswamy Karpagayavinayagam and Justice D K Sinha passed the order, while hearing a PIL filed by Birsa Oroan.

The pleader, on behalf of the petitioner, informed the court that after bifurcation from Bihar, no permanent bench had been created in the State of Jharkhand.

For any redressal in the service matter of Central government employee, there was only circuit bench, he said.

The cases related to service matter of the Central Government were dealt in the CAT, the pleader said adding that one could not file any writ petition before the Jharkhand High Court before filing it in the CAT.

There were around 450 cases pending before the tribunal. The officers conduct the office only six days in a month.

The petitioner pleaded before the court that a permanent bench should be established for quick disposal of cases.

UNI