Who appoints the Chairman and members of a Joint Administrative Tribunal (JAT)?

The correct answer is The President of India, after consultation with the Governors of the concerned states.

Key Points

• The Chairman and members of a Joint Administrative Tribunal (JAT) are appointed by the President of India, as per the provisions of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.
• The President makes these appointments after consultation with the Governors of the concerned states involved in the tribunal.
• The Joint Administrative Tribunal (JAT) is established under the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, which aims to provide speedy and inexpensive justice to government employees in service-related matters.
• JATs have jurisdiction over two or more states, unlike State Administrative Tribunals (SATs), which serve a single state.
• The qualifications for appointment as Chairman or a member of the tribunal include holding a judicial or administrative post with significant experience as specified under the Act.

Additional Information

• Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985:
  • Enacted to establish administrative tribunals for the adjudication of disputes and complaints regarding recruitment and service conditions of government employees.
  • The Act provides for the creation of Central, State, and Joint Administrative Tribunals.
• Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT):
  • CAT has jurisdiction over central government employees, excluding members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and Supreme Court staff.
  • It was established in 1985 and operates under the Administrative Tribunals Act.
• State Administrative Tribunals (SATs):
  • These tribunals are set up by individual states to deal with service-related disputes of state government employees.
  • Examples include tribunals in states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
• Judicial Independence of Tribunals:
  • The appointments and functioning of tribunals are structured to ensure judicial independence and compliance with the principles of natural justice.
  • The Supreme Court has intervened in various cases to strengthen the autonomy and fairness of tribunal systems.