DELHI ADMINISTRATION Vs. PRESIDING OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition challenges the order under Section 33-C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') proceeding to compute the Minimum Wages as per the Minimum Wages Act payable to respondents 2 to 19.

(2.) Originally the order was passed in favour of 18 respondents. It is not in dispute that the sheltered workshop employing respondents 2 to 19 was run by the Directorate of Social Welfare and was a part of the Scheme framed in 1976. The scheme inter-alia provided for a training-cum-production centre for physically handicapped persons to train them to attain proficiency in the trade learnt in the training period. The sheltered workshop was to provided long term earning opportunities to the handicapped persons said to be less productive. The aims and objects of the scheme was to provide work opportunities to physically handicapped workers and to enable them to attain higher level of productivity. One of the eligibility clauses for the beneficiaries of the said workshop was for such handicapped persons whose production level was 60% less than that of the normal workers.

(3.) The impugned order dated 11th October, 1985 framed the following issues: