Labour tribunal presiding officer's tenure raised to 67 years

Bhopal, July 19(UNI) The Industrial Disputes (Madhya Pradesh Amendment) Bill 2006 was today adopted by a voice vote in the Assembly to raise the tenure of presiding officers of labour tribunals by two years to 67 years.

Labour Minister Jagdish Deora, who piloted the bill, said the tenure of the presiding officers was being raised to take benefit of experience of people on the post and keeping in view shortage of retired High Court judges. The amendment was proposed even during the tenure of Mr Digvijay Singh, he said.

Taking part in the debate on the bill, Mr Sajjan Singh Verma(Cong) demanded withdrawal of the bill and said the amendment was being effected to reward some officers having links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Mr Verma's remark on RSS sparked protest from ruling party members with Mr Lal Singh Arya(BJP) saying the opposition saw RSS hand in every action. Mr Brijendra Tiwari(BJP) also allayed opposition apprehension of rewarding officers with RSS links.

Mr Deora said under the existing law presiding officers of labour courts and tribunals could hold the post till attaining 65 years. He said additional expenditure on account of the amendment came to Rs 13.5 lakh annually.

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