PIL seeks 'justice' for Karnataka administrative tribunal

BANGALORE: A division bench headed by Justice K L Manjunath has adjourned the hearing on a PIL seeking for immediate appointment to key posts in that Karnataka Administrative Tribunal(KAT), including that of Chairman.
The petition, filed by D Pavanesh and seven other advocates claims that three key posts - Chairman, Judicial member and administrative member are still vacant since last year as per RTI information 27,999 cases are pending, including 249 cases dating back to 2001.
"There are large numbers of matters, which are awaiting the decision of the Tribunal. These matters include matters pertaining to pension, compassionate appointment, dismissal from services, selection, appointment, etc. Persons who have retired from service and awaiting the decision of the tribunal are left to lurch. They are put to untold hardship and agony due to long pendency of the cases, Many of the litigants have even expired during the pendency of the litigation and thus have been deprived of what they would have been rightfully entitled to. Therefore, the very objective of the establishing the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal is defeated" the petitioners have claimed. During the brief hearing, the government advocate told the court that as far as Chairman's post is concerned, the state had already sent the name.