M.Y. Eqbal, J. - (1.) HEARD Mrs. M.M. Pal, learned Counsel for the petitioner, the learned Counsel appearing for the Union of India and the learned Counsel appearing for the State of Jharkhand.
(2.) IN this Public Interest Litigation, the petitioner sought direction for establishment of permanent bench of Central Administrative Tribunal at Kanchi for Jharkhand State considering the work load and further, for a direction to provide proper accommodation for the bench at Kanchi preferably in the premises of the District Consumers Forum. Pursuant to the order passed by this Court, a counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 3 wherein it is stated that the instant writ petition is third round of litigation to establish a permanent bench of Central Administrative Tribunal at Ranchi. In the earlier writ petition being C.W.J.C. No.3988 of 1992(R), a Bench of the Palna High Court had directed that the matter may be placed before the Chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal so that he may take up the matter with the appropriate authorities. Further direction was issued for holding Circuit Bench at Ranchi.
(3.) IN the contempt case arising out of that order, the Government of India in its reply submitted that the case was examined by the Government and it was found that there were only a limited number of cases pending before the Patna Bench of the Tribunal which pertain to the State of Jharkhand and a decision was taken that a Circuit bench of Central Administrative Tribunal is sufficient to take care of this much work load, as there were only 125 cases pending. In the subsequent application being C.M.P. No. 137 of 2004, it was ordered that the silting of the Tribunal shall be held at Ranchi for at least 6 days, in a month, but that tan be held at a stretch by the Tribunal, it is stated that lie Circuit bench is being held at Ranchi in H.E.C. Training Institute Campus, Dhurwa, Ram hi. It is further slated that considering the pendency of the cast's, the Government has taken a decision not to have an exclusive regular bench at Ranchi in the State of Jharkhand.;