## Report on the Amendment to the Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2010
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the amendment to the Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2010, as notified on March 15, 2021. The core purpose of this amendment is to integrate electronic processes into the Kerala Administrative Tribunal's procedures, including electronic filing, online fee payment, and video conferencing for hearings. Key findings indicate a shift towards a more digitized and accessible tribunal system.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an overview of the amendment to the Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2010, based solely on the official notification published on March 15, 2021. The report aims to inform stakeholders about the specific changes introduced and their potential impact.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy:** Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2010
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the amendment text, the core objective is to modernize and streamline the administrative processes of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal by incorporating electronic functionalities. This includes facilitating electronic filing of applications and documents, online payment of fees, and enabling video conferencing for hearings.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment likely addresses the need to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and transparency of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal's procedures. The shift to electronic processes aims to reduce administrative burdens, expedite case processing, and enhance access to justice for all parties involved.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The amendment introduces several key changes to the Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2010, focusing on digitization:
* **Rule 2 (Definitions):**
* **Change:** Inserts new definitions related to electronic processes, including "authorized officer," "data," "digital signature," "digitisation," "Electronic Portal," and "electronic signature," drawing definitions from the Information Technology Act, 2000.
* **Effect:** Clarifies the terminology used in the amended rules and provides a legal framework for electronic processes.
* **Rule 4 (Application Filing):**
* **Change:** Allows for electronic filing of applications through the Tribunal's Electronic Portal. Removes requirement for triplicate sets of application and envelopes but requires applicants to furnish email addresses of respondents for electronic filing.
* **Effect:** Streamlines the application filing process, reducing paperwork and administrative overhead.
* **Rule 4A (Electronic Portal):**
* **Change:** Establishes the Electronic Portal for filing applications and documents and mandates registration for legal practitioners and users. Provides for a transition period where paper filings are allowed, along with a soft copy.
* **Effect:** Creates a central platform for electronic interactions with the Tribunal, enhancing accessibility and transparency.
* **Rule 5 (Scrutiny of Applications):**
* **Change:** Establishes a process for electronic scrutiny of applications, defects will be communicated through email with a fixed time for rectification.
* **Effect:** Streamlines the application process, ensuring faster processing by rectifying the application in a timely manner.
* **Rule 6A (Application Fee):**
* **Change:** Mandates electronic remittance of application fees through the Electronic Portal, where available.
* **Effect:** Simplifies fee payment and reduces administrative complexities.
* **Rule 7 (Grounds for Application):**
* **Change:** Grounds for application shall be entered directly in the column provided in the Electronic Portal.
* **Effect:** Reduces paperwork and administrative complexities.
* **Rule 8 (Filing of Documents):**
* **Change:** The documents to be filed along with the application shall be scanned and uploaded through the Electronic Portal.
* **Effect:** Reduces paperwork and administrative complexities.
* **Rule 9 (Issuance of Notice):**
* **Change:** Mandates electronic service of notices and processes whenever possible and describes how service should be done if electronic mailing address is not known.
* **Effect:** Expedites communication and reduces reliance on traditional mail services.
* **Rules 10 & 11A (Replies/Rejoinder and Documents):**
* **Change:** Filing of replies and statements shall be done electronically, and a notification regarding the same will be given through the Registry.
* **Effect:** Reduces paperwork and administrative complexities.
* **Rule 12 (Orders):**
* **Change:** Allows for digital signatures on orders and mandates publication of final and interim orders on the Electronic Portal.
* **Effect:** Ensures authenticity and accessibility of Tribunal orders.
* **Rule 13 (Communication of Orders):**
* **Change:** Orders in digital format will be electronically communicated to the parties.
* **Effect:** Ensures faster communication and reduces reliance on traditional mail services.
* **Rule 14 (Minor Changes):**
* **Change:** With the approval of the Chairman, notify from time to time, minor changes, if any, on the technical aspects in the procedures to be followed for filing of application, issue of notice or process, filling of reply statement and rejoinder, generation of calendar of cases for hearing, communication of orders, electronic registration of users.
* **Effect:** Improves streamlining of the application process
* **Rule 33 (Hearing through video conferencing):**
* **Change:** Introduces the option for hearings via video conferencing at the Tribunal's discretion, with the Chairman to notify the procedure.
* **Effect:** Enhances accessibility and reduces the need for physical attendance.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes include:
* Applicants and respondents involved in cases before the Kerala Administrative Tribunal.
* Legal practitioners appearing before the Tribunal.
* The administrative staff of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal.
* Government Departments party to the cases before the Tribunal.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Kerala Administrative Tribunal, specifically the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Filing Scrutiny Officer, and the Chairman are responsible for implementing these changes.
* **Timelines/procedures:**
* The rules come into force on the date of publication (March 15, 2021).
* The Electronic Portal needs to be established by the Tribunal.
* Legal practitioners and their clerks need to register themselves in the Electronic Portal.
* Defects during electronic scrutiny will be notified by email with a rectification period fixed by the Registrar, not exceeding 30 days in total.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of these changes is a more efficient, accessible, and transparent Kerala Administrative Tribunal. The specific changes are expected to:
* Reduce paperwork and administrative burdens for all stakeholders.
* Expedite case processing and reduce delays.
* Enhance access to justice through electronic filing and video conferencing.
* Improve communication and dissemination of information.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2010, signifies a significant step towards modernizing the tribunal's operations through digitization. The introduction of electronic filing, online fee payment, and video conferencing is expected to improve efficiency, accessibility, and transparency, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders involved in the administrative justice system in Kerala.
Key Entities Referenced
Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985: An Act of the Parliament of India concerning administrative tribunals. Specifically, section 35, subsection 2, clauses d, e, and f are mentioned, indicating the source of powers being exercised.
Central Government: The executive authority responsible for making the rules.
Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2010: The set of rules being amended by this notification.
Kerala Administrative Tribunal Procedure Amendment Rules, 2021: The name of the amended rules.
Electronic Portal of the Tribunal: A digital platform established for filing applications and documents with the Tribunal electronically.
Registrar: An officer of the Tribunal who is authorized to act on behalf of it. The notification clarifies their duties and powers with respect to electronic filing.
Deputy Registrar: An officer of the Tribunal who is authorized to act on behalf of it.
Filing Scrutiny Officer: An officer of the Tribunal who is authorized to act on behalf of it.
Chairman: The head of the Tribunal, with authority over certain administrative and procedural aspects, including the Electronic Portal.
Information Technology Act, 2000: Indian legislation defining terms related to data and digital signatures within the context of electronic transactions.
State Government: The government of the state of Kerala, which may be a party in applications before the Tribunal.
Secretary to the Government Department: A representative of the State Government in cases before the Tribunal.
Chief Secretary to Government: A representative of the State Government in cases before the Tribunal.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions: The government body under which Department of Personnel and Training functions.
Department of Personnel and Training: The department responsible for issuing the notification.
New Delhi: The location where the notification was issued. Note that it is only the city.
Rashmi Chowdhary: The Additional Secretary who issued the notification.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-15032021-225912
xxxGIDHxxx
CG-DL-E-15032021-225912
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 130] नई दिल्ली, सोमिार, माच ि15, 2021/फाल्ग नु 24, 1942
No. 139] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021/PHALGUNA 24, 1942
कार्मकि , लोक जिकायत तथा पिें न मत्रं ालय
(कार्मिक और प्रजिक्षण जिभाग)
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल् ली, 15 माचि, 2021
सा.का.जन. 188(अ).—केन्द्रीय सरकार, प्रिासजनक अजधकरण अजधजनयम 1985 (1985 का 13) की धारा 35
की उपधारा (2) के खंड (घ), खंड (ड.) और खंड (च) द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए केरल प्रिासजनक अजधकरण
(प्रदिया) जनयम, 2010 के जनयमों का संिोधन करने के जलए जनम्नजलजखत जनयम बनाती ह,ैं अथाित् :-
1. संजक्षप्त नाम और प्रारंभ (1) इन जनयमों का संजक्षप्त नाम केरल प्रिासजनक अजधकरण (प्रदिया) संिोधन जनयम,
2021 ह ै।
(2) य ेरािपत्र में उनके प्रकािन की तारीख को प्रिृत्त होंग े।
2. केरल प्रिासजनक अजधकरण (प्रदिया) जनयम, 2010 (जिस े इसमें इसके पश्चात ् उि जनयम कहा गया है) के जनयम
2 में,-
(क) खंड (घ) में, “कोई व्यजि” िब्िों के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत िब्ि अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकए िाएंग,े अथाित:् --
“या अजधकरण के इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल के माध्यम से फाइल दकया गया कोई आिेिन”
(ख) खंड (घ) के पश्चात्, जनम्नजलजखत खंड अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकए िाएगं े, अथाित्:-
1616 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
“(घक) “प्राजधकृत अजधकारी” से रजिस्ट्रार, उप रजिस्ट्रार, फाइललंग संजिक्षा अजधकारी
और अजधकरण के ऐसे अन्द्य अजधकारी अजभप्रेत ह ैिो अध्यक्ष द्वारा प्राजधकृत दकए िाएं”
(घख) “डार्ा”का िहीं अथि होगा िो सूचना प्रोद्योजगकी अजधजनयम, 2000 (2000 का 21) में है;
(घग) “अंकीय हस्ट्ताक्षरण” का िहीं अथ िहोगा िो सूचना प्रोद्योजगकी अजधजनयम, 2000 (2000 का 21) में ह;ै
(घघ) “जडजिर्लीकरण” से दकसी भी प्ररूप के सििृ डार्ा को अंकीय प्ररुप में या दकसी भी प्ररुप के डार्ा को
अंकीय डार्ा में या न बिल े योग्य प्ररुप डार्ा जिसमें िहनीय िस्ट्तािेि रुपजिधान भी िाजमल ह ै या अन्द्य
समुजचत न बिलने योग्य प्ररुप और जिसमें िस्ट्तािेि प्रजतलबंब, ध्िजन जक्ट्लप या अन्द्य कोई इलक्ट्े राजनक अजभलेख
िो दक कम्प्यूर्र युजि द्वारा समझा िा सके या इलेक्ट्राजनक युजि और अध्यक्ष समय समय पर ऐसे डार्ा ऐसी
रीजत से िो आिश्यक बैक अप उत्पन्न करेगा, अजभप्रेत ह;ै
(घड.) “इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल” से अजधकरकण के उपयोग के जलए अनन्द्य रुप स ेउत्पन्न हुए पोर्िल अजभप्रेत ह;ै
(घच) “इलेक्ट्राजनक जचह्नक” का िहीं अथ ि होगा िो सूचना प्रोद्योजगकी अजधजनयम, 2000 (2000 का 21) म ें
ह;ै
(ग) खंड (ड.) म ें“संलग्न प्ररुप” िब्िों के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत को अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित् :-
"अथिा अजधकरण के इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल म ेंउपबंजधत प्ररुप"
(3) उि जनयमों के जनयम 4 म,ें-
(क) उप जनयम (1) के पश्चात्, जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित्:-
“परंत ु आिेिन को इलेक्ट्राजनक रुप से फाइल करने की ििा में उसको इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल में यथा
उपबंजधत प्ररुप म ेंफाइल दकया िाएगा।”
(ख) उपजनयम (2) म,ें परंतुक के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित् :-
“परंत ु यह और दक आिेिन को इलेक्ट्राजनक रुप से फाइल करने की ििा में, आिेिन को तीन प्रजतयों म,ें पता
जलखे हुए जलफाफे और आिेिन की अजतररि प्रजतयों की आिश्यकता नहीं ह ै लेदकन आिेिक को प्रत्यथी के ई-
मेल का पता िने ा होगा ।”
(4) उि जनयमों में, जनयम 4 के पश्चात ्जनम्नजलजखत जनयमों को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित् :-
“4क इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्लि की स्ट्थापना करना और आिेिन फाइल करना – (1) अजधकरण आिेिनों और िस्ट्तािािों
को फाइल करने के जलए इलक्ट्े राजनक पोर्िल स्ट्थाजपत कर सकेगा।
(2) अजधकरण को आिेिनों और याजचकाओं को रजिस्ट्रार या प्राजधकृत अजधकारी को ऐसै इलक्ट्े रानदक पोर्िल के माध्यम स े
िो जिजहत जडिीर्ल रुपजिधान में हों उपस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा”:
परंतु जडजिर्लीकरण के संिमण काल म ें अथिा यदि दकसी भी कारण से इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल तक पहुचं उपलब्ध
नहीं ह,ै तब आिेिन या प्रत्यथी आिेिन अथिा याजचकाओं को अजधजनयम की धारा 19 के अनुसार अजभलेख पुजस्ट्तका
प्ररुप म ें फाइल कर सकेगा और ऐसे मामलों म,ें आिेिन को उसकी साफ्र् कापी भी प्रस्ट्तुक करना होगा और तब रजिस्ट्री
को स्ट्कैन करके आिेिन और िस्ट्तािेिों को इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्लि में अपलोड करना होगा ।
(3) एक बार अजधकरण का इलेक्ट्रानदक पोर्लि स्ट्थाजपत हो िाने पर, जिजध व्यिसायी अजधकरण के समक्ष उपजस्ट्थत होंग े
और उसकते जलजपक उनके इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल म ेंरजिस्ट्र्र करेंग े।
(4) इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल तब पहुचं के जलए, सभी उपयोगकता िअपने आप को इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल म ेंरजिस्ट्र्र करेंगे और यूिर
आई डी और पासिडि प्राप्त करेंग े।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
4ख. पक्षकारों को िोड़ना – सभी व्यजि िो सीध े प्रभाजित हुए हों आिेिन करन े के जलए पक्षकार बनाए िाएंगे। िहा ं ऐस े
व्यजि अनेक ह ैं िहां पर उनमें से एक या एक से अजधक अजधकरण की अनुमजत से, इस उद्देश्य के जलए आिेिन करेंगे, इस
प्रकार स े सभी व्यजियों के लाभ के जलए उनकी ओर से पक्षकार बनाया िाएगा, लेदकन मलू आिेिन के स्ट्िीकृजत की सूचना
ऐसे सभी व्यजियों को या तो व्यदकिः या लोक जिज्ञापन के माध्यम से िैसा दक अजधकरण प्रत्येक मामल े में आिेि करे,
िेना होगा
परंत ु ऐसे मामलों में िहां राज्य सरकार पक्षकार ह,ै िहां पर संबंजधत सरकारी जिभाग के सजचि को सरकार के
प्रजतजनजध के रूप म ेंतैयार दकया िाएगा :
परतुं यह और दक यदि आिेिन की जिषयिस्ट्तु िो या अजधक जिभागों से संबंजधत ह ै या आिेिन ऐसी प्रकृजत का ह,ै
जिसका जनपर्ान िो या अजधक सरकारी जिभागों के िारंर् सूचना से ह,ै सरकार का मख्ु य सजचि और उन सरकारी जिभागों
के सजचिों को सरकार का प्रजतजनजधत्ि करन े के जलए पक्षकार बनाया िाएगा।”
(5) उि जनयमों के, जनयम 5 में, उप जनयम (4) के पश्चात,् जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा,
अथाित:् -
“परंत ु इलैक्ट्राजनक रूप से फाइल दकए गए सभी आिेिनों की रजिस्ट्री म ें संिीक्षा की िाएगी और यदि कोई िोष
ह ै तो रजिस्ट्रार द्वारा जनयत समय के भीतर सुधार के जलए ई-मेल के माध्यम स े आिेिक को सूचना िी िाएगी और अच्छे
तथा पयािप्त कारण होने पर रजिस्ट्रार, िो िह ठीक समझे, िोष के सुधार के जलए समय बढा सकेगा, परंत ु कुल समय तीस
दिनों से अजधक नहीं बढाया िाएगा और अगर िह ऐसे समय के भीतर िोष को नहीं सधु ारता ह ै तब रजिस्ट्रार उजचत
आिेि के जलए संबंजधत अजधकरण की पीठ के समक्ष मामल ें को रखेगा।”
(6) उि जनयमों म,ें जनयम 6 के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत उप जनयम को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित ्:-
“(6क) आिेिन को इलैक्ट्राजनक रूप म ें फाइल दकए िाने की ििा में, फीस को इलैक्ट्राजनक रूप से माफ कर दिया
िाएगा । इलैक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल आिेिन की फीस और अन्द्य भारों को आनलाइन संिाय के जलए आसान बनाएगा:
परंत ु िहां पर दकसी भी कारण स े ऐसी सुजिधा उपलब्ध नहीं ह,ै िहां आिेिक आिेिन की फीस हते ु न्द्यायालय
फीस स्ट्र्ांप और िकालतनामा जिसमें अपेजक्षत स्ट्र्ांप जचपकाया गया हो, की स्ट्कैन प्रजत को अपलोड करेगा:
परंत ु यह और दक आिेिक, आिेिन की संिीक्षा के अंजतम रूप दिए िान े स े पूि ि रजिस्ट्री म ें मूल रूप म ें
‘िकालतनामा’ और आिेिन फीस के जलए स्ट्र्ांप प्रस्ट्ततु करना होगा।”
(7) उि जनयमों म,ें जनयम 7 के उपजनयम (1) के पश्चात्, जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित:्-
“परंत ु आिेिन को इलैक्ट्राजनक रूप म ें फाइल करन े की ििा म,ें आिेिन फाइल करन े के आधारों के जलए
इलैक्ट्राजनक पोर्लि म ेंउपबंजधत स्ट्तंभ में सीधे प्रजिजि की िाएगी।”
(8) उि जनयम में जनयम 8 के उपजनयम (3) के परंतुक के पश्चात,् जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा,
अथाित ्:-
“परंत ु यह और दक आिेिन के इलैक्ट्राजनक रूप म ें फाइल दकए िाने की ििा म,ें िस्ट्तािेिों को आिेिन के साथ
फाइल करना होगा या याजचका को इलैक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल के माध्यम स े उस े स्ट्कैन और अपलोड करके पक्षकारों द्वारा फाइल
दकया िाएगा।”
(9) उि जनयमों म,ें जनयम 10 में, उप जनयम (8) के पश्चात्, जनम्नजलजखत उप जनयम को अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा,
अथाित ्:-
“(9) इस जनयम म ें दकसी बात के होते हुए भी, आिेिन के इलक्ट्ै राजनक रूप से फाइल करने की ििा म,ें अजधकरण
द्वारा जनकाली गई कोई सूचना या आिेजिका, यथा संभि, इलैक्ट्राजनक साधनों के माध्यम स े तामील होगी । िब
इलैक्ट्राजनक मले पता ज्ञात नहीं ह ै तो सूचना या आिेजिक की तामील उपरोि उपजनयम (1) से जनयम 4(4) के अनुसार की
िा सकेगी।”4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
(10) उि जनयमों म,ें जनयम 11, उपजनयम (1) के पश्चात ्जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित ्:-
“परंत ु इलैक्ट्राजनक रूप से फाइललंग की ििा में, प्रत्यर्थियों द्वारा उत्तर और कथनों को फाइल दकया िाएगा और
यदि कोई संलग्न िस्ट्तािेि ह,ै तो ऐसा उत्तर इलैक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल के माध्यम से फाइल दकया िाएगा और ऐसी ििा म,ें ऐस े
उत्तर के फाइल करने से संबंजधत संिेि, आिेिक को दिया िाएगा और अन्द्य प्रत्यर्थियों को रजिस्ट्री द्वारा दिया िाएगा और
उसके पश्चात् आिेिक और अन्द्य प्रत्यथी इलैक्ट्राजनक पोर्लि स ेउत्तर तक पहुचं सकते ह ैं।”
(11) उि जनयमों म,ें जनयम 11 के पश्चात्, जनम्नजलजखत जनयम को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित:् -
“11क. आिेिक द्वारा प्रत्युत्तर और िस्ट्तािेिों का फाइल दकया िाना- इलैक्ट्राजनक फाइललगं की ििा म ें आिेिक
द्वारा प्रत्युत्तर फाइल दकया िाएगा और यदि कोई सलं ग्न िस्ट्तािेि ह,ै जिसे इस प्रत्युत्तर के साथ फाइल दकया िाना
ह।ै इलेक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल के माध्यम से फाईल दकया िाएगा और ऐस े मामलों में, ऐसे प्रत्युत्तर फाइल करने के संबंध में एक
संिेि, रजिस्ट्री द्वारा प्रत्यथी को दिया िाएगा और इसके पश्चात् प्रत्यथी इलैक्ट्राजनक पोर्िल से प्रत्यथी तक पहुचं सकता ह।ै ”
(12) उि जनयमों के, जनयम 18 में,-
(क) उप जनयम (1) के पश्चात,् जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित् :-
“परंत ु िब आिेि अंकीय रूपजिधान में बना हो, तब उसे ऐसे सिस्ट्यों द्वारा अंकीय लचहं क के प्रयोग द्वारा
हस्ट्ताक्षररत होगा।”
(ख) उप जनयम (2) के पश्चात,् जनम्नजलजखत उप जनयम को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित ्:-
“(3) सभी ििाओं में अजधकरण द्वारा पाररत अंजतम आिेिों और अतं ररम आिेिों को लोकाजधकारी क्षेत्र म ें
इलैक्ट्राजनक पोर्लि म ेंप्रकाजित दकया िाएगा।”
(13) उि जनयमों के, जनयम 20 में, उपजनयम (1) के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत परंतुक को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित् :-
“परंत ु िब अजधकरण के आििे को अंकीय रूपजिधान म ें िारी दकया िाता ह ै और उसके अंकीय हस्ट्ताक्षर के
पश्चात्, प्राजधकृत अजधकारी द्वारा पक्षकारों को इलैक्ट्राजनक रूप में संसूजचत दकया िाएगा और यथा उपरोि इलैक्ट्राजनक
रूप में हस्ट्ताक्षररत और संसूजचत आिेिों को, आिेि की अजधप्रमाजणत प्रजत मानी िाएगी और उसके आधार पर अजधकरण
और अन्द्य प्राजधकाररय़ों के समक्ष अगला किम उठाने के जलए पयािप्त होगा और कोई पाने िाला या प्राजधकारी भी आिेि म ें
उपबंजधत इलैक्ट्राजनक संपकि पर जक्ट्लक द्वारा आिेि की प्रमाजणकता को सत्याजपत कर सकता ह ै।”
(14) उि जनयमों के, जनयम 29 में, मि (xii) के पश्चात,् जनम्नजलजखत मि को अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित ्:-
“(xiii) समय-समय पर अध्यक्ष के अनुमोिन के द्वारा, आिेिन फाइल करन े के जलए अनुसररत प्रदियाओं म ें
तकनीकी पहलओंु पर, यदि कोई हों, छोर्े-मोर्े बिलाि करना, सूचना या आिेजिका िारी करना, कथन का उत्तर और
प्रत्युत्तर फाइल करना, मामलों की सुनिाई के जलए कलैंडर बनाना, आिेिों को संसूजचत करना, उपयोगकतािओं का
इलैक्ट्राजनक रजिस्ट्रेिन करना, अजधसूजचत दकया िाएगा ।”
(15) जनयम 32 के पश्चात,् जनम्नजलजखत जनयमों को अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाित ्:-
“33. िीजडयो कांफ्रेलसंग के माध्यम से सुनिाई – अजधकरण के जििेकानुसार, मामल े की सुनिाई इलैक्ट्राजनक के
उपयोग से िैसा दक िीजडयो कांफ्रेलसंग ह,ै सुकर बनाई िाएगी । अध्यक्ष इस संबंध म ें अनुसररत की िान े िाली प्रदिया को
अजधसूजचत कर सकेगी।”
[फा. सं.ए.-11014/9/2009-एर्ी]
रजश्म चौधरी, अपर सजचि[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(Department of Personnel and Training)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 15th March, 2021
G.S.R. 188(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (d), (e) and (f) of sub-section (2) of section
35 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 (13 of 1985), the Central Government hereby makes, the following rules
to amend the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2010, namely:-
1. Short title commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (Procedure)
Amendment Rules, 2021.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in
rule 2,-
(a) in clause (d), after the word and figures “section 19”, the following words shall be inserted, namely:-
“or an application filed through the Electronic Portal of the Tribunal”;
(b) after clause (d), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:-
“(da) “authorised officer” means the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Filing Scrutiny Officer and such other officer of
the Tribunal as may be authorised by the Chairman;
(db) “data” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000);
(dc) “digital signature” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Information Technology Act, 2000
(21 of 2000);
(dd) “digitisation” means the process of converting analog data in any form into digital form or data in any form
into digital form or data in an un-editable format including Portable Document Format or other appropriate un-editable
format and includes documents, images, sound clips or any other electronic record that can be understood by computer
systems or electronic devices and shall include creation of necessary backups of such data in such manner as may be
decided by the Chairman from time to time;
(de) Electronic Portal” means the portal created exclusively for the use of the Tribunal;
(df) electronic signature” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Information Technology Act, 2000
(21 of 2000);
(c) in clause (e), after the words “these rules”, the following shall be inserted, namely:-
“or the form provided in the Electronic Portal of the Tribunal”.
(3) In the said rules, in rule 4,-
(a) after sub-rule(1), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided that in the case of electronic filing of the application, the same shall be filed in the form as provided
in the Electronic Portal.”;
(b) In sub-rule (2), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided further that in the case of electronic filing of the application, triplicate sets of application,
envelopes bearing addresses and extra copies of application are not required but the applicant has to furnish the e-mail
addresses of the respondents.”
(4) In the said rules, after rule 4, the following rules shall be inserted, namely:-
“4A. Setting up of Electronic Portal and filing of Application.-(1) The Tribunal may set up an Electronic
Portal for filing of applications and documents.
(2) The applications and petitions to the Tribunal shall be presented in the prescribed digital format to the
Registrar or authorized officer through such Electronic Portal:6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
Provided that in the transition period of digitization or if for any reason the access to the Electronic Portal is
not available, the applicant or respondent can file the applications or petitions in paper book form as per section 19 of
the Act and in such cases, the applicant shall also submit a soft copy of the same and then the registry shall scan and
upload the application and documents to the Electronic Portal.
(3) Once the Electronic Portal of the Tribunal is established, the legal practitioners appearing before the Tribunal
and their clerks shall register themselves in the Electronic Portal.
(4) For accessing the Electronic Portal, all users shall register themselves in the Electronic Portal and obtain a
user identity and password.
4B. Addition of parties.- All persons directly affected shall be made parties to the application. Where such persons
are numerous, one or more of them may with the permission of the Tribunal, on application made for the purpose, be
impleaded on behalf of or for the benefit of all persons so affected; but notice of the original application shall, on
admission, be given to all such persons either by personal service or by public advertisement as the Tribunal in each
case may direct:
Provided that in cases where the State Government is a party, the Secretary to the Government Department
concerned shall be arrayed as party representing the Government:
Provided further that if the subject matter of the application relates to two or more Government Departments
or, if the application is of such a nature, the disposal of which warrants information from two or more Government
Departments, the Chief Secretary to Government and the Secretaries to those Government Departments shall be made
as party representing the Government.”.
(5) In the said rules, in rule 5, after sub-rule (4), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided that all applications filed electronically shall be scrutinised in the Registry, and defects if any, shall
be intimated to the applicant through e-mail for rectification within such time fixed by the Registrar and the Registrar
may for good and sufficient reasons, extend the time for rectifying the defects as he may deem fit, provided, the total
period does not exceed thirty days and that if the defects are not cured within such time, the Registrar shall place the
matter before the Tribunal Bench concerned for appropriate orders.”.
(6) In the said rules, after rule 6, the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:-
“(6A) In the case of electronic filing of the application, the fee shall be remitted electronically. The
Electronic Portal shall have the facilities for online payment of application fee and other charges:
Provided that where such facilities are not available for any reason, the applicant has to upload the scanned
copy of the court fee stamp towards application fee and ‘Vakalatnama’ affixed with requisite stamps:
Provided further that the applicant has to produce the ‘Vakalatnama’ and the stamp for application fee in
original in the Registry before the finalization of scrutiny of the application.”.
(7) In the said rules, after sub-rule (1) of rule 7, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided that in case of electronic filing of application, the grounds for filing application shall be entered
directly in the column provided in the Electronic Portal”.
(8) In the said rules, in rule 8, in sub-rule(3), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided further that in the case of electronic filing of the application, the documents to be filed along with
the application or petition shall be filed by the parties through the Electronic Portal, by scanning and uploading the
same.”.
(9) In the said rules, in rule 10, after sub-rule (8), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:-
“(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in this rule, in the case of electronic filing of application, any notice
or process to be issued by the Tribunal shall, as far as possible, be service through electronic means. When electronic
mailing address is not known, the service of notice or process may be done as per sub-rules (1) to 4(4) above.”.
(10) In the said rules, in rule 11, after sub-rule (1), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided that in case of electronic filing, the replies and statements to be filed by the respondents and the
accompanying documents, if any, to be filed with such replies shall be filed through the Electronic Portal and in such[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 7
cases, a message regarding the filing of such reply shall be given to the applicant and other respondents by the
Registry and thereafter the applicant and the other respondents can access the reply from the Electronic Portal”.
(11) In the said rules, after rule 11, the following rule shall be inserted, namely:-
“11 A. Filing of rejoinder and documents by the applicant.- In case of electronic filing, the rejoinder to be
filed by the applicant and the accompanying documents, if any, to be filed with such rejoinder, shall be filed through
the Electronic Portal and in such cases, a message regarding the filing of such rejoinder shall be given to the
respondents by the Registry and thereafter the respondents can access the rejoinder from the Electronic Portal.”.
(12) In the said rules, in rule 18,-
(a) after sub-rule (1), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided that when the orders are prepared in digital format, the same shall be signed by such
Members by using digital signature.”;
(b) after sub-rule (2), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:-
“(3) The final orders and interim orders passed by the Tribunal in all cases shall be published in the
Electronic Portal in public domain.”.
(13) In the said rules, in rule 20, after sub-rule(1), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided that when the orders of the Tribunal are to be issued in digital format, the same shall be
electronically communicated to the parties by the authorised officer after affixing his digital signature and that the
orders electronically signed and communicated as above shall be considered as the authentic copy of the order and
shall be sufficient for taking further steps thereon before the Tribunal and other authorities and also that any
recipient or authority can verify the authenticity of the order by clicking on the electronic link provided in the
order.”.
(14) In the said rules, in rule 29, after item (xii), the following item shall be inserted, namely:-
“(xiii) with the approval of the Chairman, notify from time to time, minor changes, if any, on the
technical aspects in the procedures to be followed for filing of application, issue of notice or process, filling
of reply statement and rejoinder, generation of calendar of cases for hearing, communication of orders,
electronic registration of users.”.
(15) after rule 32, the following rule shall be inserted, namely:-
“33. Hearing through video conferencing.- The hearing of the cases may, at the discretion of the
Tribunal, be held by making use of electronic facilities such as video conferencing. The Chairman may
notify the procedure to be followed in this regard.
[ F.No. A-11014/9/2009-AT ]
RASHMI CHAWDHARY, Addl. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.