The Supreme Court, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Manoj Misra, has issued a directive to the Union Government to expedite the appointment of judicial officers to the vacant seats of the Central Government Industrial Tribunals. The order mandates the completion of the appointment process before August 31, 2023.

The directive comes in response to a petition filed by the Labour Law Association, highlighting the alarming number of vacancies within the Central Government Industrial Tribunals. According to the petitioner, nine out of the twenty-two benches are currently vacant, with an additional three expected to be vacant in 2023.

Previously, the Supreme Court had ordered the formation of a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) to address the issue. The Ministry of Labour and Employment constituted the SCSC on March 6, 2023, with a Supreme Court Judge appointed by the Chief Justice of India as the committee chair.

During the court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh informed the bench that the SCSC had completed the selection process and made nine recommendations on June 26 and June 27, 2023. Furthermore, Singh stated that the Union government had initiated the necessary steps to implement the recommended appointments.

Consequently, the Supreme Court has directed the Union government to conclude the appointment process and officially notify the appointments by August 31, 2023. The court, in disposing of the petition, has granted liberty to the parties to seek recourse in case of any difficulties that may arise.

Case Title: Labour Law Association v. Union Of India | W.P.(C) No. 562/2023 PIL-W