The Supreme court has asked the Gujarat govt to fill up the posts of the president and judicial members of the Gujarat state cooperative tribunal before the apex court could examine the state govt’s petition challenging the Gujarat High Court ruling in the matter, reports Press Trust of India.
The Gujarat state cooperative tribunal has long been dysfunctional with its various posts remaining vacant. The moot question is who should occupy the positions- retired govt officials or judicial members?
The High Court had asked the state government to appoint president of the tribunal after consultation with the high court’s chief justice after the allegations surfaced that instead of appointing retired civil judges as members of the board, the state government appointed retired and serving government officers as registrar’s nominee.
The Court order was passed on the petition filed by Gujarat Cooperative Bar Association and others complaining about the absence of a transparent mechanism for resolution of disputes by the registrar’s nominee as well as the tribunal.
The High Court had asked the state government to include judicial members with experience not less than five years in the tribunal and Board of Nominees.
The Association had alleged that instead of appointing retired civil judges as members of the board, the state government appointed retired and serving government officers as registrar’s nominee.