Bombay HC to state: Recruit support staff for accident claims tribunal

Times News NetworkMumbai: The Bombay high court recently directed the state govt to expeditiously take cognisance of a representation and recruit support staff in the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Mumbai.Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande on April 22 said, “The supporting staff is a backbone of the functioning of any court and in the absence of the important posts such as accounts officer, assistant superintendent, bailiff and typists being filled up, the functioning of the court is hampered and to have efficient working of all the presiding officers, who presently are eight in number, they should be supported by adequate staff attached to each.”The HC direction came while disposing of a petition by the Bar Association of MACT that sought the filling up of posts of presiding officers and set out difficulties faced by advocates. The Association’s advocate informed the court that all eight courts are functional with presiding officers. There are vacancies for support staff who are appointed by the State govt.Since the petition was filed in 2022 and there may be a variation in the number of vacant posts, they permitted the petitioner-Association to make a representation to the govt, through the general administration department, which is the competent authority to recruit MACT staff. The judges said that the petition set out pendency before MACT “is more of a reason why the courts must be armed with necessary staff so that it can function efficiently and render justice to those who need the same, as expeditiously as possible.”They directed that the Association’s representation “shall be dealt with utmost urgency.” They also granted liberty to approach the HC if, within a short time, no cognisance is taken by the state govt in appointing the support staff.