The Delhi High Court has expressed dismay over the lack of adequate infrastructure at the Central Government Industrial Tribunal (CGIT) for holding hearings through video conferencing mode.
Justice Prathiba M. Singh was hearing a petition filed by 33 petitioners, who were aggrieved by prolonged pendency of their matter, pertaining to the termination of their services as maintenance staff at ESI Hospital before the CGIT, since the Tribunal does not possess infrastructure to conduct virtual hearings.
Observing that the CGIT is an important tribunal, dealing with claims relating to workmen deeply affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bench had earlier passed a set of directions to make online functioning of the Tribunal efficient until it is fit to hold physical hearings.
To ensure compliance of the order passed by the Bench for ensuring adequate infrastructure is available at the Tribunal for holding hearing through online mode, the Centre was directed to file a status report.
Perusing the status report filed by the Centre in pursuance of the order dated July 28, the Bench noted, “Quite a dismal state of affairs at the CGIT.”
“Till date, the Cisco Webex licences and the high speed internet connection does not appear to have been obtained for enabling the smooth functioning of the CGIT,” said the Bench.
The Bench further noted that the status report does not point out as to whether any funds have been sanctioned for upgrading the infrastructure of the Tribunal.
“The status report does not show any urgency to enable the CGIT’s functioning, with the required technical infrastructure. It has already been noted by this Court in previous orders that the CGIT is an important Tribunal which is required to function regularly, to cater to the interest and concerns of workmen working with Government establishments,” added the Bench.
In this regard, the Bench directed the Secretary of the Tribunal and the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment to remain present before the Court on November 21. In addition, the Centre is directed to ascertain whether a separate internet connection would be required at the Tribunal for high speed internet.
The matter is slated for further hearing on November 29.