Justice Ranjit Vasantrao More, the Chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), briefed Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh on recent reforms aimed at strengthening administrative justice. The briefing took place on [exact date of the meeting, if available] at [specific location, if available]. Justice More highlighted the Tribunal’s impressive case disposal rate of over 93%, indicating substantial advancements in governance and service delivery.
Since its establishment, the CAT has received more than 10 lakh cases and resolved approximately 9.32 lakh of them. This achievement underscores the Tribunal’s commitment to efficiency and accessibility in administering justice.
Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, actively pursues reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency within public institutions. He emphasized that enhancing administrative justice remains pivotal to good governance and must be consistently refined to improve public service accessibility.
Dr. Singh further articulated that the transformative initiatives across public institutions are heavily driven by technology. He noted that digital platforms facilitate quicker service delivery while enhancing accountability and minimizing delays, which ultimately leads to more responsive governance.
As part of his appraisal, the Minister acknowledged the CAT’s progressive digital ecosystem, which has significantly improved case resolution and overall access to justice. This includes several new initiatives such as the establishment of Benches in Jammu and Srinagar and the commencement of Circuit Sittings in remote areas like Puducherry and Kargil.
Expanding access to justice remains a pressing priority for the Government. Dr. Singh highlighted how these new geographic expansions reduce the burden of travel for litigants, streamlining the process for government employees posted across different states.
Highlighting measurable outcomes, the Minister reiterated that consistent reform efforts lead to tangible benefits. He reinforced that the reduction in case backlog, even with a continued influx of new cases, showcases the success of modernized judicial processes.
Justice More elaborated on the CAT’s recent implementations, particularly the Advanced Case Information System (ACIS), which has introduced e-filing, virtual hearings, and online alerts. These features not only streamline court functions but also contribute to the Tribunal’s commitment to a paperless environment.
Dr. Singh expressed strong alignment with the Government’s vision for a Digital India, where technology acts as a facilitator of governance. He emphasized that these digital advancements play a crucial role in creating a more equipped and citizen-friendly administrative structure.
Moreover, Justice More reported a marked decline in pending cases, indicating efficient management practices. He projected that the Tribunal would continue to excel in resolving cases, surpassing the volume of new cases registered, which bodes well for its operational future.
Justice More also highlighted advancements like the e-Office implementation and the onboarding of staff on digital HR management systems. Additionally, he mentioned how pension cases are now processed digitally through the Bhavishya Portal, part of broader governance initiatives that bolster efficiency.
Dr. Jitendra Singh assured that reform efforts will persist, focusing on institutional capacity building and better public service delivery. He vowed that the Government remains committed to leveraging technology to foster accountable and citizen-centric public institutions.
