SATSANG Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal by an organisation which calls itself 'Satsang'. It filed a C.W.J.C. No. 3881 of 1982: Satsang v. Union of India & Ors. The order passed by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India dated 16/08/1982 was challenged in the writ petition. The order was passed on the representation of the petitioner. This representation was made on 12/04/1982 under Section 19-A of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The impugned order is appended as Annexure 1 to the writ petition. The representation of the petitioner dated 12/04/1982 is appended as Annexure 2 to the writ petition.

(2.) In the representation it was contended by the Satsang that "out of our sheer ignorance of the said Act we have allowed the Satsang Press to comply with the provisions of the same". The petitioner desired that in the matter relating to applicability of the Act the entire facts be reviewed in the light of the express provisions of Section 19-A of the Act and "to spare Satsang Press from the purview of the said Act with effect from the date of coverage i. e. 1/01/1974 along with direction to refund of the amount already deposited with the R.P.F.C. Bihar since the date."

(3.) By the order which was passed by the Government of India (Annexure 1), impugned in the writ petition, the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner directed to have an inspection carried out of the Satsang Charitable Hospital and Dispensary with its Pathological Laboratoies, X-ray Plants, Surgical Units, Satsang Tapovan Vidyalaya, Anardyuti Mahavidyalaya, Satsang Rasaisana Mandir, Satsang Engineering and Mechanical Workshop, Satsang Carpentry, Satsang Science Laboratory, Satsang Binapani Vidya Mandir, Satsang Dairy Farm and Satsang Sadhana Vesaj Udyan and if the employment strength of each of them exceeds 19, to cover them separately under the relevant head. The Act was found applicable to all these activities. The representation was dismissed.