Impress Upon Union To Provide Basic Amenities To NCLTs : Supreme Court Tells AG
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to impress upon the Union Government to ensure that basic amenities are provided to the National Company Law Tribunals (NCLTs) and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) at the earliest.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a suo motu case concerning infrastructure and basic amenities at the principal and regional benches of the NCLT.
During the hearing, the Attorney General informed the court that the government's status report had been shared with the NCLT. He also proposed holding a meeting to discuss the requirements.
However, Senior Advocate Sanjiv Sen appearing in the matter expressed concern over the delay in addressing the issue, stating that the proposed meeting should have taken place within the preceding month.
"Infrastructure is collapsing. All courts functioning at half strength!" the senior advocate submitted.
Senior Advocate Arundhati Katju also highlighted difficulties in the functioning of the tribunals, pointing out that matters involving personal guarantors never seem to reach their conclusion.
The Chief Justice asked the Attorney General whether the court should obtain the views of the NCLT President on the infrastructure requirements.
The bench subsequently observed that the Presidents of the NCLT and the NCLAT would be best placed to assist the court in assessing the requirements of the tribunals.
"It seems to us that most apt authority to assist us would be the learned Presidents of NCLT and NCLAT," the bench observed.
The Court requested the Presidents of both tribunals to submit a comprehensive proposal detailing the requirements necessary to strengthen their day-to-day functioning.
The proposal may include requirements relating to land and buildings, as well as the staff needed for the effective functioning of the tribunals.
The bench also asked the NCLT to consider the desirability of appointing an officer in the rank of Deputy Registrar or Joint Registrar for every bench to ensure the proper upkeep of judicial records.
The Court directed that all such requirements be examined and placed before it, expressing the hope that the requisite information would be submitted within four weeks.
The Attorney General was, meanwhile, requested to impress upon the Union Government to ensure that all basic amenities were made available to the NCLT and NCLAT at the earliest.