Bhubaneswar: Lawyers in Odisha have protested against the Central government’s decision to abolished the Odisha State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).The SAT Lawyers’ Association has moved the Orissa high court citing the decision as ‘illegal’ and ‘ultra-biased’.

The SAT is currently funcitoning with only an acting chairman as against its sanctioned strength of six members including a chairman.

The Association members pointed out that the state advocate general had earlier promised us that the vacancies plaguing the SAT would be filled up and fixed August 8 as the deadline. However, instead of filling up the posts, the state government abolished the SAT.

“This is an unwelcome steps”, the members complained.

It was on the recommendation of the State government, the union department of personnel and training (DoPT) on Monday issued a gazette notification for abolishing the SAT.

Established on 14th July 1986 under the Administrative Tribunal Act (1985) to ensure quick delivery of justice, the SAT is headquartered in Bhubaneswar and has a regular bench in Cuttack apart from circuit benches in Sambalpur and Berhampur.