Question : AWARD TO WORKERS OF BOKARO STEEL PLANTS

(a) whether 59 contractual workers of Bokaro Steel plant who were doing regular nature of work got award in favour of their regularization from the Industrial Tribunal, Ranchi on May 30, 2003;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether duty was denied to them despite the award;

(d) whether management of the plant filed a writ in the Jharkhand High Court, at Ranchi against the Award but did not get the stay;

(e) if so, whether Deputy. Labour Commissioner, Bokaro in his letter dated February 20, 2004 asked the management to implement the award in absence of stay from the High Court; and

(f) if so, the steps taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) & (b) M/s. TTG, an independent contractor, engaged 59 contract workers for the job of erection, commissioning and installation of high pressure water jet at Bokaro Steel Plant against purchase orders. M/s. TTG retrenched the workers on 30.9.1992 after completion of the contract. In Reference Case No.12/94, the Industrial Tribunal Ranchi, by its order dated 30.05.2003, gave directions for regularisation of these 59 contract workers.

(c) & (d) Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has challenged the award dated 30.05.2003 passed by the learned Presiding Officer, Industrial Tribunal, Ranchi before the Hon`ble Jharkhand High Court, Ranchi and has also filed a writ petition with a prayer to stay the operation of the impugned award. Both have been admitted by the Hon`ble Jharkhand High Court. The Hon`ble High Court has issued notice to the concerned respondents for appearance. The Hon`ble High Court was pleased to order that the prayer to stay would be considered after appearance of the respondents.

Subsequently, BSL has filed an Interlocutory Application (I.A) No.1811 of 2004 praying for stay of the impugned award dated 30.5.2003 in reference case No.12/94. After hearing the I.A on 6/11.10.2004, the Hon`ble Jharkhand High Court granted a stay for the operation of the impugned award subject to payment of wages strictly in accordance with Section 17B of the Industrial Dispute Act.

(e) Yes, Sir.

(f) The Deputy Labour Commissioner (DLC), Bokaro has been informed that the matter is under judicial review before the Hon`ble Jharkhand High Court, Ranchi and a stay order has been granted by the Court.