The Supreme Court on Friday instructed the Union Ministry of Finance to provide details regarding the staffing levels at Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) nationwide.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih raised concerns about the Finance Ministry directing Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) to compile extensive data on various aspects, which they observed was interfering with the tribunals' core function of adjudicating cases.
The Bench urged the Ministry to implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that the functioning of Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) remains unaffected during data collection activities.
"We expected the Ministry to come out with proper SOPs of securing data from DRTs. The impression from Ministry's affidavit we get was that they are trying to suggest that each DRT has adequate strength of around 30 members and therefore there are adequate staff for them to take data. We direct Ministry of Finance to furnish data about the strength of staff in DRTs by January 2," the Court ordered.
The Court was hearing an appeal challenging the adjournment of a securitisation application before the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Visakhapatnam, caused by a strike observed by the Visakhapatnam Bar Association.
It was informed that proceedings at the DRT were repeatedly postponed as its staff was preoccupied with compiling extensive data reports for the Finance Ministry. Previously, the Court had raised concerns over the Ministry of Finance treating DRTs as its subordinate departments and had sought an explanation from the Ministry's Section Officer regarding this practice.
When the matter was taken up today, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the affidavit filed by the Section Officer, which attempted to justify the Ministry's directive requiring DRT staff to engage in data compilation.
"We have seen that the Ministry requires huge data from DRT and giving them least amount of days. We are not saying that you have no right to call the data, but not this way. Look at your affidavit. That is why all staff members remained in busy with the work of collection of data in the second session. We are not happy with the affidavit given by you," Justice Oka orally remarked.
The Court criticized the Section Officer for asserting that all Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) nationwide have sufficient staff to manage their workload effectively.
"We cannot allow a Section Officer to hamper the working of DRT. Your affidavit justifies the action. They are saying that each DRT has staff of 30 members. They say adequate strength is there. Your officers in affidavit say that there are 30 members in each DRT and they have adequate strength. Now we will ask your officers to furnish how many DRTs," Justice Oka said.
The Court emphasized that the Ministry should establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that the core functioning of Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) is not disrupted.
Additionally, it directed the Ministry to submit a comprehensive affidavit detailing the staffing levels at DRTs nationwide.
The matter will next be considered on January 3.
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