PUNJAB STATE Vs. KALI DASS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The services of the respondent were terminated on June 1, 1986. He raised an industrial dispute, which was referred to the Labour Court vide notification dated 10th October, 1995. The Presiding Officer, Labour Court, Gurdaspur, vide award dated January 18, 2001, answered the reference in favour of the workman and ordered reinstatement with continuity of service and full back wages.

(2.) While challenging the said award, it is contended on behalf of the State that there was inordinate delay in approaching the labour for reference under Section 10(1)(c) of the Industrial Dispute Act. The delay is stated to be of 8 years. The question of delay has been considered by the Labour Court and has been answered in favour of the workman keeping in view the principle enunciated in the case Ajaib Singh v. The Sirhind Co-operative Marketing-cum- Processing Service Society Ltd. & Anr., 1999 2 SCT 667.

(3.) We do not see any reason to interfere with the impugned award on this ground alone, as the management has no case on merit whatsoever.