18th Bench of CAT in UTs of Ladakh and J&K

The Government of India recently inaugurated the 18^th Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the Union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlights

• The setting up of CAT bench for Jammu will reduce the burden of several courts. 
• The bench will deal exclusively with the service matters of government employees.
• It is to be noted that earlier the GoI under Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 had specified Srinagar and Jammu as the places where the CAT benches will sit for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.

Central Administrative Tribunal

• The CAT was established under Article 323 of the Constitution. 
• The tribunal will adjudicate complaints regarding conditions of service of public servants and also recruitment of posts associated with the affairs of the UTs.
• The CAT has been conferred with the powers to exercise itself as a High Court. 
• This has been done under Section 17 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985.
• The allowances and salaries of the employees and officers of the Tribunal are to be specified by the Central Government.