ADDISON AND CO LTD Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has apprenticeship arrangement by which apprentices are engaged for the job training and they are paid stipend. They are not eligible for benefits such as bonus during the period of practical trading and at the end of the training they are given appropriate certificate.

(2.) THAT being the fact the respondent issued a notice, dated 25 May 1995, claiming contributions for apprenticeship for two periods from 1 January to December 1994 and another period spanning 1983, 1984 to 19 October 1989. These claims are made in respect of the contribution due on the stipend paid to the said apprentices.

(3.) THAT order was challenged in Writ Petition No. 5454 of 1998. The petitioner paid the said amount under protest. Since the petitioner delayed the payment, the respondent directed the petitioner to pay damages of Rs. 96,716. That order was challenged in Writ Petition No. 2383 of 1998.