The Gujarat High Court has recently addressed concerns regarding the functioning of the State Educational Institutions Service Tribunal. In response to issues raised about the tribunal's working hours, absence of virtual hearing facilities, and lack of CCTV surveillance, the state government has assured the court of corrective measures to enhance the tribunal's efficiency and transparency.
Previously, advocates highlighted that the tribunal was not adhering to standard working hours, with proceedings reportedly lasting only 1 to 1.5 hours daily, commencing post-noon. This limited functioning led to prolonged case durations, causing inconvenience to involved parties. Additionally, the absence of virtual hearing facilities compelled District Education Officers from various districts to undertake extensive travel, further delaying proceedings. The lack of CCTV cameras raised concerns about the transparency and security of the tribunal's operations. These issues prompted the High Court to direct the Registrar General and the Chief Secretary of the Education Department to submit a detailed report on the tribunal's functioning.
In compliance, a report dated March 19 was prepared by the President of the Gujarat Educational Institutions Services Tribunals. Subsequently, on March 24, the Additional Secretary of the Education Department communicated plans to address the highlighted concerns. The report outlined the tribunal's official working hours: a morning session from 11:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., a lunch break from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by an afternoon session from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The government pleader assured the High Court that the tribunal would adhere strictly to these timings. Furthermore, it was conveyed that the tribunal's members intend to engage with bar members to facilitate smoother operations. Regarding infrastructural enhancements, the report indicated that CCTV cameras and virtual hearing facilities would be installed within two months.
The High Court took note of these assurances and emphasized the importance of adhering to the proposed schedule and infrastructural improvements. The bench, comprising Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice Nisha Thakore, clarified that no adverse inferences should be drawn against any advocates named in the report and that the tribunal should remain uninfluenced by the recorded statements. The court's proactive stance underscores its commitment to ensuring that judicial bodies operate efficiently, transparently, and in the best interests of justice.
This development is part of a broader initiative to enhance the functioning of judicial and quasi-judicial bodies in Gujarat. For instance, in December 2023, the Gujarat High Court mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in its registry and courtrooms following incidents of tampering with case listings. The court emphasized that heads of various tribunals and lower courts must prevent such malpractices to maintain the integrity of judicial proceedings.
In summary, the Gujarat High Court's recent directives aim to address longstanding concerns about the State Educational Institutions Service Tribunal's operations. By enforcing strict adherence to working hours and implementing technological enhancements like CCTV surveillance and virtual hearing facilities, the court seeks to ensure that the tribunal functions more effectively, transparently, and in a manner that upholds the principles of justice.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.