CESTAT without a Regular President
CESTAT President Justice Khandeparkar retired on 12 th August 2011. Ms. Jyoti Balasundaram who acted as HOD retired yesterday, having held reigns for less than three months. Now we have another Vice President holding the fort till a regular President is appointed. The Government knew about the date of retirement of Justice Khandeparkar on the day he joined. Why couldn't they select a new President at least three months before his retirement? Maybe the Government should consider selecting the new President six months before the incumbent President retires and appoint the president designate as a Senior Vice-president, so that he gets to know the Tribunal before actually heading it.