Question : PENDING INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

(a) the number of industrial disputes filed and resolved in various Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Courts during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise along with the number of cases still pending;

(b) whether any time limit has been fixed for settlement of such pending disputes;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for such pendency;

(d) whether the Government proposes to appoint more Presiding Officers in such Labour Courts in view of the increasing number of pending disputes; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the further steps taken by the Government for disposal of the pending cases expeditiously?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH)

(a) The number of industrial disputes filed and resolved in various Central Government Industrial Tribunal – cum - Labour Courts during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise along with the number of cases still pending is annexed at Annexures - I, II, III and IV.

(b) & (c) A time limit of 3 months is specified for submitting the award in terms of sub- section 2A of Section 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

Proviso to sub section 2A of Section 10 of the said Act further provides for extension of above time limit by the Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal on the request of parties to an industrial dispute jointly or separately.

The reasons of pendency inter-alia include:

(i) Absence of affected parties at the time of hearing;

(ii) Seeking of frequent adjournments by the parties to file documents;

(iii) Parties approaching the High Courts or Supreme Court challenging orders of reference issued by the appropriate government as well as orders issued by the Tribunals on preliminary points;

(iv) Unwillingness of parties to come forward for getting their cases settled in Lok Adalats.

(d) There is no such proposal at present.

(e) Following steps have been taken for expeditious disposal of cases in CGIT-cum-LCs:

(i) The Scheme of Holding of Lok Adalats as an “Alternative Grievance Redressal Mechanism” for speedy disposal of industrial disputes introduced in the X Plan, has been made indispensable part of the adjudication system.

(ii) Process of appointment to the Post of Presiding Officer is initiated about eight months in advance so that the successor to a serving presiding officer is selected by the time of completion of his tenure in a CGIT-cum-LC;

(iii) A system of link officers amongst Presiding Officers has been introduced to ensure that the judicial work of the CGIT-cum-LCs does not suffer when the post of regular Presiding Officer is vacant due to administrative exigencies;

(iv) Presiding Officers of CGIT-cum-LCs are holding camp courts; and

(v) Conference of Presiding Officers is held from time to time to explore strategies for speedy and effective disposal of cases.