The Committee on Disputes (COD) was constituted in compliance of the directions of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal Nos. 2058-59 of 1988 (IA Nos. 1 & 2) dated 11.10.1991 (734 KB) between ONGC and Collector of Central Excise and a clarificatory order passed in No. Civil Appeal Nos. 2058-59/1988 (IA Nos. 3 & 4 of 1992) dated 7.1.1994. Composition, purpose and procedure for submission of cases for consideration by the Committee are laid down in Cabinet Secretariat Office Memorandum (OM No.53/3/6/91-Cab Dated 31.12.91 and 53/3/6/91-Cab. Dated 24.1.1994 (781 KB) and others) issued from time to time.
Objective: The prime objective of COD is to reduce litigation between two arms of the Union Govt. by ensuring that no litigation of unnecessary and frivolous nature or involving petty matters and issues between Central Govt. Departments or Central Public Sector Undertakings or between a Central Govt. Department and a Central Public Sector Undertakings reached a Court or a Tribunal without the matter having been first examined by it. The Committee is a forum to provide to the disputing parties an opportunity of in-house conciliation. It hears the parties to the dispute to ascertain whether the issues in dispute involve questions of facts and/or law, needing adjudication by a Tribunal or a Court. It strives to resolve disputes through mutual understanding by administrative measures and mechanisms, avoiding litigations.
