The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Secretary, Ministry of Finance, in a matter concerning the non-appointment of workmen and non-workmen nominee directors on the boards of public sector banks since 2015.

The matter came up before Justice Sachin Datta, where a proxy counsel appearing for the Union of India sought adjournment on the ground that the Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) was unwell. It was further submitted that the Union would file a status report, and therefore notice need not be issued at this stage.

The Court, however, observed that even for seeking a status report, issuance of notice is necessary. Accordingly, it declined the request to defer issuance of notice and proceeded to issue notice in the matter.

The petition, pending since 2017, raises concerns over the Centre’s failure to appoint employee nominee directors in public sector banks for nearly a decade.

The matter is now listed for further hearing on April 16.