As on 31st July, 2020, total 19,844 cases were pending before National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), including 12,438 cases under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. 

Giving more details about regular staffing positions in NCLTs, Shri Thakur said that total 320 posts of officers/staff have been created in NCLT. Recruitment Rules (RRs) for these posts have been notified on 21.01.2020 and NCLT has initiated action to appoint employees on these posts on regular basis. Presently, 40 posts are filled on regular basis.

The Minister said that e-court project is being implemented in all 16 benches of NCLT. So far, e-filing has been started in 9 benches and it will be extended to remaining benches also. During COVID-19 pandemic, all benches are hearing cases through Video Conferencing.

Tribunal caseload management: staffing, e court rollout and virtual hearings used to address pending insolvency and corporate cases. Tribunal caseload management emphasizes administrative and technological measures: regular posts were created with Recruitment Rules notified and appointments initiated though only a limited number are filled; an e court programme has been implemented across benches, e filing begun at some benches with expansion planned, and hearings have been conducted by video conferencing during the public health emergency to maintain case processing.