PUNJAB WAKF BOARD Vs. CONTROLLING AUTHORITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Sole question to be answered in this petition is as to whether the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the 1972 Act) applies to the employees of the petitioner-Punjab Wakf Board or not?

(2.) There is no denying the fact that the petitioner is a statutory body. The Wakf Act, 1954 (hereinafter referred to as the 1954 Act) is applicable to the petitioner. Wide powers and functions of the Board are transacted in compliance with the provisions of this Act. For superintendence, maintenance, control and administration of the Wakfs as also their income, many officials are employed. They discharge their duties for achieving aims and objects of the petitioner in terms of provisions of the 1954 Act.

(3.) On an application moved by respondent No.3 Krishan Dev for payment of gratuity, the Controlling Authority-respondent No.1 passed an order (Annexure P-1) on 13.12.1991 in his favour. Appeal preferred by the petitioner against the order (Annexure P-1) was dismissed by the Appellate Authority-respondent No.2 on 24.6.1993 vide Annexure P-2.