Kalotara Jagdishbhai Alias Jaga ... vs Gujarat Sheep And Wool Development ... on 2 July, 2021
21. On perusal of the impugned award, it clearly transpires that
in view of the evidence on record, the Labour Court has come to
the conclusion that there was a breach of Section 25-F of the
I.D. Act and non-payment of notice pay or retrenchment
allowance, and the work was still going on. However, considering
the delay in filing the reference it has not allowed the prayer of
reinstatement and full back wages and granted only lump sum
amount of Rs.20,000/-. In view of the oral evidence of the
employer's witness, after termination of the service of the
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C/SCA/4415/2010 JUDGMENT DATED: 02/07/2021
workman, the work is still going on and he was never called for
and the work has been taken through the other daily wagers. In
view of the oral evidence of the employer side, there is a breach
of not only Section 25-F of the I.D. Act, but there is also a breach
of Section 25-G and H of the I.D. Act, therefore, the order of
reinstatement was required to be passed. But considering the
facts and circumstances of the case, it appears that the workman
has hardly work for one and half years and considering the fact
that he has filed reference after almost eight years after his
termination, in view of the decision of the Apex Court in the case
of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Vs. Bhurumal (supra)
which has been referred to recently by the Apex Court in the
case of Deputy Executive Engineer v. Kuberbhai
Kanjibhai, AIR 2019 SC 517, this Court is of the considered
opinion that the Labour Court has not committed any error of
facts and law in awarding lump sum compensation. Further,
since, the workman has served only 1½ years, the amount
awarded by the Labour Court is just and proper.