STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. LATIF ALIAS VASANT COMPANY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complaint of the State purported to have been filed under section 10 of the Maharashtra Workmen's Minimum House Rent Allowance Act, 1983 was rejected with the reasoning that the provisions of the said Act are not applicable to the Bidi and Cigarette Industry. Hence the State has presented these Appeals which are delayed by more than five months. One of the contentions of the State is that the delay deserves to be condoned, since the reasoning as adopted has a far-reaching effect. We do not agree that the applicability of the provisions of the said Act cannot be agitated with full force in a fresh proceeding. Even otherwise, according to the respondents non-compliance was on the advice of the State Government. According to the Respondents they paid the amount subsequently when it was advised that the Act is applicable to the industry. Further submission is that the delay is inordinate and unexplained.

(2.) Heard Mr. Behere, the learned counsel for the Appellant-State. We do not see any satisfactory cause for condoning the delay. Even otherwise, having regard to the facts, as enumerated, condoning delay would not further the cause of justice.

(3.) We, therefore, reject the Applications for condonation of delay. Consequently, the Appeals are dismissed.