MANAGEMENT Vs. PRESIDING OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The award dated 20.02.2014, in I.D.No.130 of 2008 passed by the 1st respondent, Labour Court, Salem, is under challenge in the present writ petition.

(2.) The writ petitioner is the Management of Salem District Consumer Co-operative Wholesale Stores.

(3.) The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the writ petitioner Management made a submission that the 2nd respondent was employed as a salesman in the fair price shop at Uppumandi Arisipalayam from 27.05.1999 to 31.07.2000. A squad inspected the fair price shop on 03.07.2000 and found a deficit of 292 kg of boiled rice and 3 kg of wheat. During another inspection conducted on 19.07.2000, there was a shortage in sugar and wheat, which all are controlled items. This apart, bogus entries were made on 07.06.2000, and 2000 kg of rice were sold on 10 bills and proceeds were misappropriated. The 2nd respondent cannot issue essential commodities more in quantity than the prescribed. Such distribution was detected by the flying squad on an inspection conducted on 19.07.2000. It was also found during inspection that the distribution register was not maintained properly from May, 2000. The 2nd respondent refused to handover charge and absconded from duty. The account of the fair price shop reveals that the 2 nd respondent has not distributed the essential commodities to the card holders and has committed irregularities.