Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) will have jurisdiction to handle cases related to the Jammu and Kashmir region. The CAT so far had jurisdiction only over central services issues in Jammu and Kashmir.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Jitendra Singh has recently announced that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territories will be covered by Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

Jitendra Singh said that CAT will have jurisdiction to handle cases and issues related to the Jammu and Kashmir region. Earlier, CAT had jurisdiction only over issues related to the central services in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jitendra Singh told that a CAT bench will be prepared in Jammu and Kashmir. The government is going to appoint its members soon. The bench of Chandigarh Central Administrative Tribunal will settle the service disputes and other matters in Jammu and Kashmir until the construction of Jammu and Kashmir bench finalizes. Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh said that an exclusive bench of CAT will be set up in Jammu-Kashmir itself.

Jitendra Singh clarified that the central government is taking action regarding the appointment of members of the Central Administrative Tribunal. The government is also taking action to fill the vacant posts based on the requirement sent by the Chairman of the CAT. He stated that the number of CAT members should be 66. At present, the number of members is 39. He said that the government is working seriously to fill these vacant posts.

CAT consists of a chairman, vice-chairman and other members. They are appointed by the President. CAT members are appointed from judicial and administrative areas. CAT members work for five years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. If any member of CAT, chairman or vice-chairman wants to resign he/she can file resignation to the President of India between terms of office.

Courtesy: jagaran Josh