COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LTD Vs. REGIONAL LABOUR COMMISSONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The issue, which has been posed for consideration in this writ petition turns around the definition of "appropriate Government" as mentioned in the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 hereinafter referred to as "CLRA Act"]. Since the term 'appropriate Government is to be determined with reference to the definition of the said term as contained in the Industrial Disputes Act [for short "the ID Act"] essentially, certain provisions of the ID Act also come up for consideration. By the nature of the activity carried on by the petitioner, the provisions of the Aircraft Act and the Rules framed thereunder as also the International Airports Authority Act, 1971 and Airports Authority of India Act have also come up for consideration.

(2.) The petitioner, Cochin International Airport, a public limited company was incorporated under the Companies Act, with the object of constructing, Commissioning, operating, managing and maintaining an Airport of international standards. The Government of Kerala currently holds 33.33% of the equity shares and public hold 63% of the shares of the company.

(3.) The petitioner company commenced construction of the buildings, airfield, taxi tracks, structures and allied facilities for the Airport. The work was awarded to contractors. The contractors, who were awarded work, had obtained licences from the licensing authority of the Government of Kerala. The petitioner, in turn, had applied for registration at the registering office of the Government of Kerala under Section 7 of the CLRA Act.