In a significant move to open avenues to armed forces personnel to seek redressal, the government on Thursday announced the setting up of the first-ever Armed Forces Tribunal for adjudication of disputes regarding service matters.
The tribunal would deal with appeals against court martial verdicts and grievances related to conditions of service, including promotions, confirmations and appointments.
The decision was approved by the Union Cabinet, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters. He said the composition of the tribunal would be incorporated in the Armed Forces Tribunal Bill, 2005, which will have to be passed by Parliament.
Chidambaram said the legislation would require amendments to the Army Act, Navy Act and Air Force Act.
Chidambaram said the decision has been taken in the light of a Supreme Court directive for setting up a quasi-judicial tribunal. He said the three chiefs of the armed forces had been consulted with regard to its setting up and they had strongly recommended it.
To a question, he said the tribunal would be headed by a person who has been a judge. The issue of setting up of the tribunal has also been examined by the Law Commission.
The move to establish the tribunal assumes significance since 7,300 cases of Armed Forces personnel are pending before the High Courts and Supreme Court. Defence Ministry sources said it was upto the courts to adjudicate whether to transfer these cases to the tribunal when it takes shape.
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