PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. ADDITIONAL LABOUR COMMISSIONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition involves challenge to the orders passed by the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972-cum- Assistant Labour Commissioner, Sangrur and the Appellate Authority.

(2.) In order to decide whether the impugned orders dated 21.7.1995 and 30.7.1996 are without jurisdiction or erroneous in law, it will be useful to notice some facts.

(3.) After his retirement, the respondent No. 3 Shri Rehmat Ulla applied under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act of 1972') for payment of gratuity amounting to Rs. 70,892/- along with interest by asserting that he had served the Punjab State Electricity Board for 32 years and the Board was under an obligation to pay the amount of gratuity as per his claim.