Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court was informed by the state government that the rate of disposal of cases in some of the Foreigners Tribunals is satisfactory, while it is very low in some Foreigners Tribunals (FTs). It was also admitted that these issues will have to be looked into at the departmental level, and remedial measures will have to be suggested so as to ensure that the rate of disposal of cases is similar in all FTs.
The information regarding issues related to FTs was submitted recently before Justice Suman Shyam in a suo moto case (WP(C)/1754/2015). D. Mazumdar, Additional Advocate General, Assam, who was appearing for the state government, furnished replies to queries posed by the HC earlier.
On August 27, 2024, the HC had passed an order seeking the response of the state government with regard to four queries or issues. The first query was regarding the number of cases disposed of by each of the FTs in Assam during a six-month period ending with June 31, 2024. The second query was whether proper library facilities, including regular journals, are being provided to the members of the FTs. The third asked whether there is an internal departmental mechanism to look into the grievances of individual members of the FTs and the staff working under them. The fourth related to whether the necessary orders for the extension of service of the members of the FTs have been issued by the state government.
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General, Assam, D. Mazumdar, furnished the replies to the above questions. Insofar as the first query is concerned, the HC observed on the basis of the figures furnished by the state government that while the rate of disposal of cases is satisfactory in some of the FTs, it is very low in some FTs. There is no apparent reason why the rate of disposal of cases is very low in those FTs, it was stated.
D. Mazumdar, Addl. Advocate General, Assam, admitted that these are issues that will have to be looked into at the departmental level, and remedial measures will have to be suggested so as to ensure that the rate of disposal of cases in these lagging FTs is in consonance with those in the rest of the state. The HC said the respondents in the case may look into the issue and come up with remedial measures so as to improve the situation.
In respect of the second query pertaining to library facility, the Addl. Advocate General submitted that it was reasonable to suggest that some journals should be made available to the members of the Foreigners Tribunals. However, since a few of the FTs are functioning from rented premises, he said it will be necessary to examine whether proper storage facilities for retaining the books are available. He, therefore, sought some more time to look into the matter before issuing a formal order, which the HC found to be reasonable.
Insofar as the lack of a departmental mechanism to look into the grievances of the individual members of the FTs and the working staff under the third query is concerned, it was submitted that all such grievances can be routed through the Registrar Judicial of the HC, who would then process the same and forward it to the Home Department.
Regarding the fourth query, it was submitted at the bar that the orders of extension of service of the members of the FTs have already been issued by the state government. So, the issue stood resolved, the HC ruled.
The matter would be listed again on January 7, 2025.
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