Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

Recently Four senior IAS officers were repatriated to Andhra Pradesh cadre, They have approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) seeking cancellation of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)’s repatriation orders.

About Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

It is a specialised body that deals with service matters for government employees:
It was established in 1985 under Article 323-A of the Constitution.
Purpose: To resolve grievances of central and state government employees. It adjudicates disputes and complaints related to recruitment, conditions of service and union affairs.
Structure:
- CAT has 17 benches and 21 circuit benches across India.
- Each bench has 2 members, one judicial and one administrative.
- The Chairman of the CAT is from a judicial background.
- Appointment: The President appoints the Chairman and Members of the CAT after consulting with the Chief Justice of India.
- Reappointment: Members of the CAT are eligible for reappointment.
- Service conditions: The conditions of service of the Chairman and Members of CAT are the same as applicable to a Judge of High Court.
Powers:
- It exercises jurisdiction only in relation to the service matters of the parties covered by the Administrative Tribunals Act 1985.
- The CAT is not bound by the procedure laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by the principles of natural justice.
- It has been conferred with the power to exercise the same jurisdiction and authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High Court