Arrange suitable premises for CAT Jammu within one month: Apex Court directs Centre, J&K Admin

Srinagar: The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to secure appropriate premises for the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Jammu within one month, highlighting ongoing delays in addressing the tribunal’s infrastructure needs.
Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed concern that the lack of proper facilities is hindering the CAT’s operations and warned that further inaction could lead to prolonged issues. During the proceedings, the Centre reported that a building identified by the Jammu Development Authority could serve as the new location for the tribunal, following the failure of a previous proposal due to ownership complications. The court urged the authorities to expedite the process of making this building operational and emphasized the necessity for a permanent CAT complex in Jammu. Additionally, the Supreme Court instructed the Centre and the Union Territory administration to identify land for a dedicated CAT building and initiate this process within three months. A status report on the progress is expected by the end of February next year. The court also raised concerns regarding staffing, asserting that judicial and quasi-judicial bodies should not rely on outsourced personnel due to issues related to confidentiality and institutional continuity. This matter stems from a 2020 petition highlighting the inadequate infrastructure and manpower at the CAT Jammu bench, which has adversely affected its daily operations and necessitates urgent corrective actions.