Lok Sabha Question No. 3222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-05
Subject: Merger of Tribunals
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3222

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 5 TH  AUGUST, 2022

## Merger of Tribunals

## 3222.  DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of tribunals functioning in the country at present;
- (b) the  present  status  of  the  progress  made  with  regard  to  the  merger  of  various tribunals in the country;
- (c) whether these tribunals have been successful in achieving their objectives; and
- (d) if  not,  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  Government  to  review/improve  their functioning?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

## (a) : As per available records, the information is as under:

|   Sl. No. | Name of Ministry/Department                                                  | Name of the Tribunal/Appellate Tribunal                                      |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law &Justice                        | Income Tax Appellate Tribunal                                                |
|         2 | Ministry of Corporate Affairs                                                | National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) National Company Law Appellate Tribunal |
|         3 | Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances | Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)                                        |

|    | and Pensions                                                                            |                                                                                     |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Ministry of Environment, Forest &Climate Change                                         | National Green Tribunal (NGT)                                                       |
|  5 | Ministry of Railways                                                                    | Railway Claims Tribunal                                                             |
|  6 | Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance                                              | Central Excise &Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Appellate Tribunal (SAFEMA) |
|  7 | Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance                                   | Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT)                |
|  8 | Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence                                              | Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT)                                                         |
|  9 | Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications                            | Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)                          |
| 10 | Ministry of Power                                                                       | Appellate Tribunal for Electricity                                                  |
| 11 | Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance                                     | Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)                                                 |
| 12 | Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &Public Distribution | National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)                             |
| 13 | Ministry of Labour& Employment                                                          | Central Government Industrial Tribunal- cum-Labour Courts (CGITs)                   |

(b) to  (d):The  merger  of  Tribunals  was  carried  out  by  Ministry  of  Law  and  Justice through Finance Act, 2017 during the first phase of Tribunal Reforms. Thereafter, the task of  further  progress  in  this  regard  has  been  entrusted  upon  the  Department  of  Revenue. Subsequently, the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021 has been promulgated on 04.04.2021 to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Customs Act, 1962, the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994, the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Right Act, 2001 and certain other acts  to  abolish  the  Appellate  Tribunal  under  Cinematograph  Act,  1952,  Authority  for Advance Rulings under Income Tax Act, 1961, Airport Appellate Tribunal,  Intellectual Property  Appellate  Board  and  the  Plant  Verities  Protection  Appellate  Tribunal  and  to provide  for  uniform  terms  and  conditions  of  service  for  the  President/Chairman  and Members of various Tribunals of Government of India.

The Tribunals Reforms Bill 2021 was passed by both Houses of Parliament and assented by the President on 13.08.2021. As per the Statement of Objects andReasons of the said Bill, it is informed that as per data of the last three years it is seen thattribunals in several sectors have not necessarily led to faster justice delivery and they

arealso  ata  considerable  expense  to  the  exchequer.  Therefore,  further  streamlining  of tribunalswasconsidered necessary as it would save considerable expense to the exchequer and at the sametime, lead to speedy delivery of justice.

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