NEW DELHI: Delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu (JKHCBAJ), led by its President K Nirmal Kotwal, held a comprehensive meeting with Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh to discuss the much-needed construction of a dedicated and permanent building for the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Jammu.

During the interaction, the JKHCBAJ delegation apprised the minister of the persistent infrastructural challenges faced by the CAT Bench in Jammu. They stressed the critical need for a state-of-the-art building that matches the CAT's rising workload and best serves the interests of litigants and advocates.

The Bar Association provided a detailed memorandum outlining the urgent requirement for modern courtrooms, chambers, and staff facilities, in line with Supreme Court directives and standards set for judicial infrastructure nationwide.

Dr. Jitendra Singh gave a patient hearing to the delegation and acknowledged the Bar's pivotal role in highlighting key legal and administrative issues of the Union Territory. He assured the association of the Government's steadfast commitment to establishing a permanent and fully equipped CAT complex in Jammu.

Most notably, Dr Singh communicated the Ministry's resolve that adequate central funds will be made available to ensure timely commencement and completion of the CAT building project. He reaffirmed that the Government recognizes the CAT Bench in Jammu as a permanent necessity, given the high pendency and volume of administrative cases in the region.

The Minister further stated that with continued collaboration between the Union and Jammu & Kashmir Government, ongoing progress has already been witnessed in enhancing legal infrastructure. The new CAT building would be another milestone and a testament to the Government's consistent focus on citizens' access to justice in the UT, he added.

JKHCBAJ expressed deepest gratitude to Dr. Jitendra Singh for his timely assurance and proactive stance, welcoming the announcement as a breakthrough for the legal fraternity and advocates of Jammu. They reiterated the Bar's full cooperation and readiness to support every stage of the construction project, aiming to see prompt execution for the benefit of all stakeholders.

During the meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh, the JKHBAJ president was accompanied by office bearers, Vice President S Baldev Singh, General Secretary Pardeep Majotra, Joint Secretary Anshu Mahajan and Treasurer Rahul Aggarwal.