New Delhi, Aug 03: Concerned over growing incidence of armed forces' personnel approaching courts for redressal of their grievances, the government has cleared a proposal for setting up an armed forces tribunal to arrest the trend. The proposal has already been vetted by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs, the government told the parliamentary standing committee on defence, adding, "Further modalities and financial implications are being worked out in consultation with service headquarters."
The tribunal would hear service matters and appeals arising out of court martial verdicts concerning the three services, it said.
Besides establishing armed forces tribunal, several other steps are also proposed to be taken to tone up the existing grievance redressal system, the government told the committee. These include reduction in delays in disposal of complaints, encouragement to authorities having power to grant redress in deserving cases and where redress is denied, it be supported with a speaking order.
Further, seeking legal advice of the judge advocate general department would be made mandatory at all levels.
This would help remove the impression that complaints are disposed of without appreciating the legal issues involved and should consequently lead to reduction in court cases, the committee hoped. Bureau Report