New Delhi: The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice has recommended sweeping reforms to improve the functioning of tribunals across the country, including faster filling of vacancies, stronger digital infrastructure, better staffing and tighter monitoring of case pendency.
The committee, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal, presented its 166th Report on the “Review of Functioning of Tribunal System in the Country” to both Houses of Parliament on August 7. The report was adopted on August 5.
For the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), the committee called for filling vacant posts of Members and key registry officials on a priority basis. It also recommended periodic manpower assessments, measures to address a rise of 19,275 pending cases in five months, stronger monitoring of disposal timelines and special attention to long-pending matters.
The panel also sought regular upgrades of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity audits and improved video-conferencing facilities, besides modernisation of tribunal premises.
For the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT), it recommended time-bound appointments, additional benches in regions with high pendency, full implementation of e-filing and virtual hearings, real-time case tracking and a simplified compensation mechanism for victims.
The committee also called for strengthening the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) through additional members and technical experts, a time-bound plan to reduce pendency, enhanced digital systems and consideration of an independent Telecom Ombudsman.
For the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the panel stressed urgent filling of judicial and expert vacancies, reducing dependence on contractual staff, establishing dedicated IT sections and improving monitoring of tribunal orders.
The committee also recommended major reforms in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), including permanent staffing, dedicated IBC benches, stronger digital infrastructure and faster disposal of insolvency cases within statutory timelines.
Overall, the report emphasised that adequate manpower, modern infrastructure, digital technology and effective case management are essential to ensure timely and accessible justice through India’s tribunal system.
