Supreme Court seeks NCLT and NCLAT staffing, infrastructure plans

The Supreme Court has directed the presidents of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to submit proposals on infrastructure, buildings and staffing within four weeks, as it considers problems affecting the tribunals’ functioning. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, asked the Union government to ensure that basic amenities are provided promptly. It also asked the Centre to convene a meeting with tribunal leaders and members of the NCLT Bar to identify priorities, following a proposal by Attorney General R. Venkataramani. The directions came during a suo motu case concerning appointments of judicial and technical members and inadequate NCLT infrastructure. The court said the proposals could address land and buildings, staffing and the possible appointment of a Deputy or Joint Registrar at each NCLT bench to maintain judicial records. The NCLT Bar Association told the court that at least 18 benches were holding half-day sittings because of shortages of members. It said the tribunal had 26 judicial and 25 technical members, including its president, against a sanctioned...