SUNNY KRUIAKORE Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The question which arises in this appeal is whether the provisions of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 are applicable to the rubber estates owned by the three appellants herein.

(2.) Briefly stated the facts are that there was one estate called "nooracre Estate" which Was owned and managed by Ponmudi Rubbers Limited, Trivandrum. Out of this estate, on 22/10/1960, three parcels of land were sold. The first appellant purchased 10. 28 acres, the second appellant purchased 24.49 acres and the third appellant purchased 27.14 acres. It is the case of the appellants that after the said purchases, these estates are being managed separately and have separate Rubber Board registrations.

(3.) The Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (hereinafter referred to as "the Principal Act") was enacted with a view to provide for the welfare of labour and to regulate the conditions of work in the plantations. Section 1 (4 of the principal Act which specifies the plantations to which the Act applies, as originally enacted, reads as under: