Rajya Sabha
38,223 cases were pending in the Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Courts (CGIT’s) during the three years since 2002. As per the Industrial Disputes Act 1947, the Central Government is the "appropriate government" in respect of industrial disputes in the Central Sphere. For adjudication of industrial disputes in the Central Sphere, there are, at present, twenty two Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Courts (CGITs) established by the Government of India.
Among the reasons for delay in settlement of cases are parties seek frequent adjournments to file documents, absence of affected parties at the time of hearing and parties approach the High Courts or Supreme Court against order issued by the Tribunals on preliminary points and hearing of the case is stayed for a long time leading to delay.
As per the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, an award is enforceable on expiry of thirty five days from the date of its publication. The concerned parties approach the High Courts/Supreme Court against the Award. As a result, such Awards remain unimplemented for a long time. In cases, where the parties do not approach the High Courts/Supreme Court against the Award and Awards are not implemented, legal action is taken under Section 29 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 by the Central Industrial Relation Machinery (CIRM).
This information was given by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Shri K. Chandrasekhar Rao in the Lok Sabha.
MLD :NC/lab 72 (LS- labour courts) Aug 2.