M GOPAL Vs. ASSISTANT LABOUR COMMISSIONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A common question has been raised in a batch of writ petitions. The above case has been treated as the lead case and all the Counsels interested in the question raised in the group have been heard. Besides, this court requested Mr. M. C. Narasimhan and Mr. K. Kastuir to appear and assist the Court. They have commendably discharged their duties.

(2.) SRI S. N. Murthy led the arguments on behalf of the petitioner and mr. S. Vijayashankar, learned Advocate General, assisted by Smt. S. Sujatha, learned Government Pleader, defended the State.

(3.) THE area of controversy is regarding the implementation and working of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act' ). All the questions that might plausibly arise have been, considered by the Supreme Court in the celebrated judgment in Gujarat Electricity Board, Thernal Power Station, Ukai v hind Mazdoor Sabha and Others. Yet, in view of the arguments advanced by the learned Counsel, it has become necessary to consider the contentions.