Authorities must decide pending administrative representations by passing reasoned and speaking orders within a stipulated timeframe.

The Applicant, a Senior Staff Assistant (Level-6) at the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

sought a direction for the forwarding and consideration of his request for deputation to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

The Applicant had submitted a representation dated 18.09.2024 and a reminder dated 27.03.2025 to his parent department (DRDO/DIPAS), which allegedly remained undecided

Consequently, the Applicant filed an Original Application under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985

During the proceedings, the Applicant elected to argue the matter as a party-in-person and limited his prayer to seeking a direction for the Respondents to decide his pending representations in a time-bound manner

Whether the Tribunal should direct the Respondents to consider and decide the Applicant’s pending representation and reminders regarding his request for deputation

Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, which empowers the Tribunal to adjudicate disputes regarding service matters of government employees

Principles of Natural Justice, which require administrative authorities to dispose of employee representations through reasoned and speaking orders within a reasonable period

The Tribunal observed that the Applicant’s grievance centered on the Respondents' failure to act upon his request for deputation submitted in September 2024

Counsel for the Respondents conceded that the pending representations could be considered in accordance with the law

In light of this consensus, the Tribunal determined that the ends of justice would be met by directing a time-bound administrative decision rather than adjudicating the substantive merits of the deputation request

The Tribunal emphasized that the administrative authority must pass a "reasoned and speaking order," ensuring transparency and legal compliance in the decision-making process

The Respondents are required to pass a reasoned and speaking order in accordance with the law within four weeks from the receipt of the order

The Tribunal explicitly stated it expressed no opinion on the merits of the case

M.A. No. 4962/2025 was closed accordingly, with no order as to costs