UNITED LABOUR FEDERATION Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Handing over of Container Terminal of Chennai Port Trust to a private party, otherwise than by tender/public auction, has evoked this litigation.

(2.) The appellant in both the writ appeals is United Labour Federation, represented by its General Secretary Mr. K. Nithyanandam. While W.A. No. 2029 of 2001 is directed against the order in W.P, No. 16845 of 2000, W.A. No. 1921 of 2001 is directed against the order in W.P. No. 12783 of 2001. While the appellant was the petitioner in W.P. No. 12783 of 2001, it was not a party in W.P. No. 16845 of 2000. W.A. No. 2029 of 2001 was filed obtaining leave, which was granted by this Court.

(3.) W.P. No. 16845 or 2000 was tiled by Chennai Port and Dock Workers Congress (INTUC) represented by its General Secretary Mr.G.Kalan assailing the order dated July 3, 2000 passed by the Government of India, by which the Chennai Port Trust was permitted to conclude a contract with the private party which is P & O Australia Ports Private Limited. In W.P. No. 12783 of 2001, the challenge is made to Circular No. A/43/2000, dated June 28, 2001 and its later clarification Circular dated June 29, 2001 until the Chennai Port Trust implements the benefits that accrue to the members of the petitioner Union employed in the Container Terminal of the Chennai Port Trust. Several other writ petitions were filed along with W.P. No. 16845 of 2000 but we need not refer to all of them, as there are no writ appeals filed relating to those writ petitions.