HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.845 OF 2004 ORDER: The 1st respondent was employed as a Driver on daily wage basis in the Nizamabad Depot of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. An accident was occurred on 26-04-1993. From the next day onwards, he was put off the duties. Thereafter, a show cause notice was issued and he was removed from service by orders dated 17-03-2004. Against that, the 1st respondent filed M.P. No.88 of 2000 in the Labour Court – II, Hyderabad, under Section 33 – C (2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, claiming a sum of Rs.21,775/- for the period for which he was put off the duty. The Labour Court passed an order dated 13-12-2002, holding that the petitioner is liable to pay a sum of Rs.18,492/-. The same is challenged in this writ petition. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner. Though the 1st respondent is served with notice, he has not chosen to enter appearance. 3. The order of the Labour Court is cryptic and is devoid of any reasons. It does not refer to the nature of claim much less to the contentions of the parties. It was simply observed that the petitioner is liable to pay a sum of Rs.18,492/- on the basis of the calculation memo served by the petitioner. This approach is untenable. Even on merits also, the order cannot be sustained. Whenever, any disciplinary proceedings are initiated against a regular employee, the Management would put them under suspension, if the situation warrants. In respect of the daily wage employees, the exercise of that nature is known as put off the duties. The 1st respondent does not dispute that he was put off the duties from 27-04-1993 till he was removed. The order of removal was not challenged. At the most, the 1st respondent can be said to be under suspension during that period. Normally, an employee is entitled for half of the wages towards subsistence allowance. While, admitting the writ petition, this Court directed the petitioner to deposit half of the amount awarded by the Tribunal, permitting the 1st respondent to withdraw the same. 4. Hence, the Writ Petition is partly allowed, reducing the amount awarded by the Labour Court to half of the amount awarded by it. There shall be no order as to costs. ____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J October 21, 2010. KTL