As the State Government could not get a green signal from the Orissa High Court, it has failed to give a satisfactory clarification to the Centre over the issue of abolition of the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). As a result, the State Cabinet’s decision on September 9 last year to abolish the SAT remains unimplemented.
The Centre was informed about the State Cabinet’s decision. However, the Centre sought clarification over the number of pending cases in the SAT, the disposal of cases in case of abolition of the tribunal and a nod from the High Court regarding abolition.
The Union Ministry of law also wanted to know about the process of transferring pending cases from SAT to the High Court.
Meanwhile, the State Government has dispatched two letters this year to the High Court Registrar. However, no opinion has been received so far on behalf of the High Court, for which the State Government is not able to give a reply to the Centre, sources said.
The State Government contends that the decision to abolish the SAT was taken on basis of the 1997 Supreme Court directive in the l Chandrakumar case.
The pending cases in the SAT would be disposed of in the High Court after abolition of the tribunal, and the Government would take further initiative for creation of the number of judge posts in the High Court following discussions.
Currently, there are two judge posts including Chairman lying vacant in the SAT, and seven judge posts in the High Court could not be filled. In view of the number of pending cases in High Court and pressure, at least 10 judge posts should be created. Another six posts are required if the SAT cases are shifted to the High Court, opine legal experts.
On the other hand, various lawyers’ associations staged protests against the Government’s move to abolish the SAT. Surprisingly, the Government had recently spent around Rs32 crore for construction of a SAT Bench in Cuttack. Now, the building has turned a ghost house. Similarly, around Rs10 crore was spent for the expansion of a SAT Bench in Bhubaneswar.
legal experts ask why huge amounts were spent from the State exchequer if the Government had planned to abolish the SAT. It seems the Government is clueless on abolition of the SAT..