IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.H.L.DATTU & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.BASHEER WEDNESDAY, THE 22ND OCTOBER 2008 / 30TH ASWINA 1930 W.A.No. 615 of 2008 ---------------------------------- AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT IN WPC.28836/2005 DATED 16/11/2007 .................... APPELLANT/2ND RESPONDENT: ----------------------------------------------- GENERAL SECRETARY KSEB -CONTRACT WORKERS UNION, C.I.T.U., B.T.R MEMORIAL BUILDING, THAMPANOOR, TRIVANDRUM. BY ADV. SRI.S.RAMESH BABU RESPONDENTS/PETITIONER AND RESPONDENTS: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, VYDHYUTHI BHAVANAM, PATTOM, TRIVANDRUM. 2. GENERAL SECRETARY, K.S.E.B PETTY CONTRACTORS AND CONTRACT LINE WORKERS UNION (INTU) TRIVANDRUM. 3. GENERAL SECRETARY, K.S.E.B PETTY CONTRACTO'RS AND COTNRACT LINE WORKERS UNION (NTUC), ANGELES, ARAMOOLA, TRIVANDRUM. 4. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, LABOUR AND REHABILITATION (A) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. 5. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, POWER (A) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. W.A.NO.615/2008 -2- 6. INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNAL, PALAKKAD. ADDL. 7. VIJAYAKUMAR P., AGED 37 YEARS, S/O.AYYAPPAN, PILAKKIL HOUSE, GANESSAGIRI PO., MUNDAYA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL. 8. SHARATHCHANDAN B., AGED 45 YEARS, S/O.BALAKRISHNA PILLAI, PATHIYATH VEEDU, KULAPPULLY P.O., SHORNUR. ADDL. 9. K.BALAKRISHNAN, AGED 42 YEARS, S/O.PONNAN, KIZHAKKEKKARATHODY HOUSE, KANAYAM P.O., SHORNUR. ADDL.10. P.KRISHNADAS, AGED 50 YEARS, S/O.P.RADHAKRISHNAN NAIR, POKKATTIL HOUSE, KOONATHARA P.O., VANIYAMKULAM. ADDL.11. A.C.KOCHUKUTTAN, AGED 50 YEARS, S/O.CHUNGAN, PALLITHODY HOUSE, P.O.KALLIPPADAM, SHORNUR. ADDL.12. RAMACHANDRAN, AGED 44 YEARS, S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, KANDARAMATH HOUSE, AMAYUR P.O., PATTAMBI VIA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.13. MANIKANDAN.C., AGED 41 YEARS, S/O.NARAYANAN, CHAKKUMTHODY HOUSE, MELE PATTAMBI P.O., KODALUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.14. MOHANAN P., AGED 41 YEARS, S/O.NARAYAN, PALUTHODIYIL HOUSE, KANAYAM P.O., SHORNUR VIA, PALAKKAD. W.A.NO.615/2008 -3- ADDL. 15. UNNIKRISHNAN K., AGED 41 YEARS, S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, KANDARAMATH HOUSE, AMAYAR P.O., PATTAMBI VIA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL. 16. T.GANGADHARAN, AGED 40 YEARS, S/O.VELU, THARAYIL HOUSE, KALLADIPATTA P.O., PATTAMBI VIA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.17. K.UMESHBABU, AGED 31 YEARS, S/O.LATE K.THUPPAN, EZHUTHACHAN KUNNATH HOUSE, MANNAUR P.O., KAVALAPPARA VIA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.18. P.P.MANIKANDAN, AGED 41 YEARS, S/O.KOTHA, PALATHINKALPADI VEEDU, NELLIKKATTIRI P.O., NHAGATTIRI. ADDL.19. U.S.SREENIVAS SREEDHARAN, AGED 36 YEARS, S/O.U.SREEDHARAN, UNNIAMBATH HOUSE, MUNDAYA, GANESHAGIRI, SHORNUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.20. JAYAPRAKASH, AGED 37 YEARS, S/O.M.VASU, MOOTHEDATH HOUSE, P.O.KANATAM, SHORNUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.21. K.RAVEENDRAN, AGED 30 YEARS, S/O.KUNJAN, KIZHAKKEKARATHODY HOUSE, KANAYOM P.O., SHORNUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.22. RADHAKRISHNAN K., AGED 48 YEARS, S/O.GANGADHARAN NAIR, KADAMBATT HOUSE, NEDUGOTTOOR, SHORNUR P.O., PALAKKAD DISTRICT. ADDL.23. NARAYANAN, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O.VELAYUDHAN, KOLKKATTIL HOUSE, PANAYOOR P.O., VANIYAMKULAM. W.A.NO.615/2008 -4- ADDL.24. PARAMESWARAN, AGED 35 YEARS, S/O.VELAYUDHAN, KOLKKATTIL HOUSE, PANAYOOR P.O., VANIYAMKULAM. ADDL.25. D.CHANDRANATHAN, AGED 52 YEARS, S/O.P.DANIEL, ANANDAVILASOM, VAZHUTHOOR, MEYYATHUKARA. ADDL.26. V.THULASEEDHARAN PILLAI, AGED 50 YEARS, S/O.VASUDEVA PILLAI, SNJOTHAMANDIRAM, KURIGODU, CHADAYAMANGALAM, KOLLAM DISTRICT. ADDL.27. P.UNNIKRISHNAN, AGED 30 YEARS, S/O.DAMODHARAN, PALLATH HOUSE, PALAPPURAM P.O., OTTAPPALAM. ADDL.28. T.K.UNNIKRISHNAN, AGED 385 YEARS, S/O.BHASKARAN, THEKKEKATTIL HOUSE, PALAPPURAM, OTTAPPALAM. ADDL.29. V.SASI, AGED 49 YEARS, S/O.VELAYUDHAN NAIR, KARAMKOTTUKONAM, CHAMAVILA VEEDU, PEYAD P.O--695573. ADDL.30. JAYACHANDRAN NAIR K., AGED 38 YEARS, S/O.KRISHNAN NAIR, KANJIRAM VILAKARU PUTHEN VEEDU, PANAGOTELA, KARIPOOR, (PRESENTLY RESIDING AT SYAMLA BHAVAN, VEYALLOOR) MURUKKUMPUZHA. ADDL.31. E.THAJKUMAR, AGED 42 YEARS, S/O.T.EDISON, THAJVILASAM, KOLLAKONAM, AWACHAL PO., KOTTAKADA.. ADDL.32. D. BRIGHT SING, AGED 48 YEARS, S/O.DHANAM, CHAMBIL KOIKALTHITTA, PUTHEN VEEDU, KADAVATTARAM, NEYYATTINKARA P.O. W.A.NO.615/2008 -5- ADDL.33. P.WILSON, AGED 38 YEARS, S/O.PAUL T., THAKIDIVILA VEEDU, ERUTHAVOOR, RESSULPURAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. ADDL.34. K.CHANDRAN, AGED 38 YEARS, S/O.KUNCHAN NADAR, VAZHATHOTTUKONAM, MELE PUTHEN VEEDU, ELETHU MELE, VATTIYOOR KAVU. ADDL.35. SANTHOSH KUMAR S.R, AGED 34 YEARS, S/O.J.SIMON, VARUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, PANGIL, MULLAVILA P.O. ADDL.36. SHAJI KUMAR J.R. AGED 35 YEARS, S/O.JOHNKUTTY T. SHAJI BHAVAN, THOZHUVACHA, MULLUVILA P.O., THIRUPURAM VIA. ADDL.37. PRADEEP V.A.NAIR, AGED 31 YEARS, S/O.R.APPUKUTTAN, VASANTHY MANDIARAM, PUTHENVILA, NELLIMOOD P.O. ADDL.38. G.VIJAYAKUMAR, S/O.GEORGE, RODARUKATHU VEEDU, RESULPURAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.39. SHAJI R., AGED 35 YEARS, RAMAYYAN NADAR, KALLUPARAMBATHU VEEDU, PENCHAKARI, THIRUVALLAM P.O. ADDL.40. K.SASIKUMAR, AGED 45 YEARS, S/O.N.KUTTAPPAN NADAR, KALLUPURAMPATHU VEEDU, PUNCHAKARI, THIRUVALLAM P.O. ADDL.41. SIVAKUMAR.V., AGED 41 YEARS, S/O.VELAYUDHAN, PEROORKONAM, ARAMODA P.O., TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.42. A.NIZARUDEEN, REHEENA MANZIL, MOOKUMPALAMOODU, VATTAPPARA P.O., TRIVANDRUM. W.A.NO.615/2008 -6- ADDL.43. V.AJIKUMAR, AGED 30 YEARS, ANAMUKHATHU KUNNUVILA, PUTHEN VEEDU, VILAPPISALA P.O., TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.44. STEPHENSON D., AGED 51 YEARS, S/O DASAN, PONVILA PUTHENVEEDU, KANNARAVILA, NELLIMOODU P.O. TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.45. M.SURENDRAN, AGED 41 YEARS, S/O.PARAMESWARAM, SINDHU BHAVAN, SREERAM NAGAR, NETTAYAM P.O. ADDL.46. J.NOBLE JOHN, AGED 41 YEARS, S/O K.M.JOHNSON, NOBLE BHAVAN, CHIRAKONAM, PEYAD P.O., TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.47. M.JOHN, AGED 45 YEARS, S/O.MADHAVAN, FREDI NIVAS, NOOLIYODE, VILAPPUSALA. ADDL.48. A.SAHAYADAS, AGED 58 YEARS, S/O.ABRAHAM, LEENA COTTAGE, CHIRKONAM, PEYAD, TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.49. V.GOPALAKRISHAN, AGED 51 YEARS, S/O.VELAYUDHAN, MADATHUVILAKATHU VEEDU, PEYAD P.O., TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.50. A.SURENDRAN, AGED 38 YEARS, S/O.APPU N., ALAMTHARAKONAM, VADAKKUMKARA, PUTHEN VEEDU, PEYAD P.O, TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.51. A.PRASADH, AGED 37 YEARS, S/O.APPUKUTTUAN NADAR, MELE PERAKATHU VEEDU, PUNCHEYKARI, THIRUVALLA.. ADDL.52. A.BALAKRISHNAN, AGED 50 YEARS, S/O.APPU NADAR, ALAMTHARAKONAM, VADAKKUMKARA, PUTHEN VEEDU, PEYAD P.O, TRIVANDRUM. W.A.NO.615/2008 -7- ADDL.53. G.MOHANACHANDRAN NAIR, AGED 46 YEARS, S/O.GANGADHARAN NAIR, PANAYIL VEEDU, MUTTADA P.O., TRIVANDRUM-25. ADDL.54. V.HARICHANDRA KUMAR, AGED 40 YEARS, S/O.K.VELAYUDHAN NAIR, MELECHERIYIL VEEDU, VELLAYANI, NEMAM P.O. ADDL.55. ANILKUMAR P., S/OPARAMESHWARAM, SINDHU BHAVAN, NETTAYUM, SREERAM NAGAR, KACHANI P.O., TRIVANDRUM. ADDL.56. JAYARAJ.N, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O.NESAMANI, MARTHANDANKALTHOPU VEEDU, THIRUPURAM P.O, NEYYATTINKARA. ADDL.57. KRISTHUDAS.N., AGED 42 YEARS, S/O.NESAMONI S., MARTHANDANKALTHOPU VEEDU, THIRUPURAM P.O, NEYYATTINKARA. (ADDITIONAL RESPONDENTS 7 TO 57 IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER ON I.A.NO.606/2008 DATED 17-7-2008) ADDL.58. SAJIKUMAR.A., AGED 40 YEARS, S/O.APPUKUTTAN NADAR, MELEPERAKATH PUTHEN VEEDU, PUNCHAKARI, TIRUVALLAM P.O. ADDL.59. K.R.SAJEESH, AGED 28 YEARS, S/O.RAMAKRISHNAN, KORAMKUNNATH HOUSE, PALAPPURAM P.O., OTTAPPALAM (VIA). ADDL.60. K.NARAYANANKUTTY, AGED 40 YEARS, S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, KATTIPATH HOUSE, CHAZHUR POST. W.A.NO.615/2008 -8- ADDL.61. RADHAKRISHNAN.C., AGED 44 YEARS, S/O.CHERUKUTTY, KOVANDATH HOUSE, KALAPPETTY POST, COYALMANNAM, PALAKKAD. ADDL.62. DAVIS MATHEW.M., AGED 43 YEARS, S/O.MATHAI, MOORKKANATTUKARAN HOUSE, KALLETTOMKARA, THRISSUR. ADDL.63. P.V.JAYARAJAN, AGED 36 YEARS, S/O.P.C.VELAPPAN, POTTEKAT HOUSE, PERIGOTTUKARA POST, THRISSUR. ADDL.64. C.K.RATHNAKUMAR, AGED 36 YEARS, S/O.KUNJHITTY C.K., CHETHIKATTIL HOUSE, CHEZHUR POST, THRISSUR. ADDL.65. SHINE.M.A., AGED 34 YEARS, S/O./ARUMUGHAN, MANNAYIL HOUSE, CHAZHUR POST, THRISSUR. ADDL.66. BABU M.D., AGED 45 YEARS, S/O.DEVASSY, MAROTIKKAL HOUSE, THAIKKATTUSSERY P.O., THRISSUR. ADDL.67. K.J.SHAJU, AGED 41 YEARS, S/O.JACOB, KALLIKADAN HOUSE, KODANNUR POST, THRISSUR. W.A.NO.615/2008 -9- ADDL.68. P.SAHADEVAN, AGED 40 YEARS, S/O.PONNU, MANNATHUPURAM HOUSE, PANANGATHIRI P.O., PALGHAT DOB. ADDL.69. V.E.RAMACHANDRAN, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O.SANKUNNI NAIR, VADAKILLATH, CHAZOOR POST, THRISSUR. ADDL.70. K.RAMACHANDRAN, AGED 42 YEARS, S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, KATTIPATTU HOUSE, CHAZOOR POST, THRISSUR. ADDL.71. K.S.THILAKAN, AGED 38 YEARS, S/O.SANKARAN, KUZHICHAMARATHIL HOUSE, MARATHAKKARA POST, THRISSUR. ADDL.72. N.A.SIDHARTHAN, AGED 32 YEARS, S/O.N.M.AYYAPPAN, NAMBATTY HOUSE, P.O.VALAPPAD, TCR-DT. (ADDL.RESPONDENTS 58 TO 72 ARE IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 25.8.2008 IN I.A.NO.762 OF 2008) ADDL.73. C.I.JOHNSON, CHERUVATHUR HOUSE, KOONAMOCHI, THRISSUR. ADDL.74. A.K.VASU, AMBALATHINGAL HOUSE, CHAVAKKAD. ADDL.75. N.V.UNNIKRISHNAN, NELLIKKAL HOUSE, MUNDATHIKODE. ADDL.76. P.V.THOMAS, PUTHIRI HOUSE, THANGALLUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT. ADDL.77. A.A.VIHAYAN, ANIYIL HOUSE, PERINGANDOOR P.O., THRISSUR, PIN 680 581. W.A.NO.615 OF 2008 - 10 - ADDL.78. C.O.ROCKEY, CHEMBAN HOUSE, VELUR P.O. ADDL.79. P.N.JAYAN, PERAMBIL HOUSE, CHAVAKKAD P.O. ADDL.80. V.A.THOMAS, VAZHAPPILLY HOUSE, MATTOM P.O. ADDL.81. V.M.RAMESH BABU, KUNNAMCHERI HOUSE, MOORIYAD P.O., KOOTHUPARAMBA. (ADDL.RESPONDENTS 73 TO 81 ARE IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 19.9.2008 IN I.A.NO.817 OF 2008) R1 BY STANDING COUNSEL SRI. ASOK M.CHERIYAN ADV. SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN (SR.) & SRI.S.SUJIN FOR R1 R2 BY ADV.SRI.K.S.MADHUSOODANAN R4 & R5 BY SR. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.K.MEERA ADDL.R7 TO R72 BY ADV. SRI.G.D.PANICKER & SMT.JEENA JOSEPH ADDL.R73 TO R81 BY ADV.SRI.S.P.ARAVINDAKSHAN PILLAY, SMT.N.SANTHA, SRI.K.A.BALAN, SRI.PETER JOSE CHRISTO & SRI.S.A.ANAND. THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22/10/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: H.L.DATTU, C.J. & A.K.BASHEER, J. ------------------------------------------- W.A.No.615 of 2008 ------------------------------------------ Dated, this the 22nd day of October, 2008 JUDGMENT H.L.Dattu, C.J. The Kerala State Electricity Board ('the Board' for short), being aggrieved by the orders passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.(C) No.28836 of 2005 dated 16th November, 2007 has filed this writ appeal. (2) The Board had called in question the award passed by the Industrial Tribunal, Palakkad in I.D.No.27 of 2002 dated 15th December, 2004. By the impugned award, the Industrial Tribunal had issued certain directions to the Board in regard to the regularization of the petty contract workers and contract line workers. (3) The learned Single Judge after carefully perusing the award passed by the Industrial Tribunal has found that the workmen are directly engaged by the Board and they are doing the works which are in regular in nature and their services are required for the proper functioning of the Board. The learned Judge has also found that the works normally done by the Electricity workers are being done by the workmen concerned. Keeping this aspect of the matter in view, the learned Single Judge while confirming the award passed by the Industrial Tribunal, has rejected the W.A.No.615 of 2008 2 writ petition filed by the Board. (4) In the operative portion of the order, the learned Single Judge has restricted the benefit of the award passed by the Industrial Tribunal only to such of those workmen whose names are mentioned in W23 and W24 series which are appended to the award itself. (5) The Union being aggrieved by this portion of the order passed by the learned Single Judge is before us in this writ appeal. (6) When the Union had raised a dispute before the Industrial Tribunal, Palakkad in I.D.No.27 of 2002, had furnished the list of workmen who were working as petty contract workers and contract line workers. The award passed by the Industrial Tribunal would only benefit to those workmen whose names are mentioned in the list furnished by the Union while filing the claim petition before the Industrial Tribunal. The said benefit cannot be extended to such of those people whose names do not find a place in the list when the Union went for the first time before the Industrial Tribunal. Keeping this aspect of the matter in view, in our opinion, the learned Single Judge is fully justified in restricting the benefit of the award passed by the Industrial Tribunal only to such of those workmen whose names find a place in W23 and W24 series appended to the award and further that they should satisfy the other conditions stipulated in the award itself. W.A.No.615 of 2008 3 (7) In that view of the matter we do not see any infirmity in the orders passed by the learned Single Judge which would call for our interference in appeal. Therefore, the writ appeal requires to be rejected and it is rejected. Ordered accordingly. (H.L.DATTU) CHIEF JUSTICE (A.K.BASHEER) JUDGE vns