Government seeks views on repealing industrial dispute law

NEW DELHI: The Labour Ministry has sought comments on the proposal to repeal the Industrial Disputes (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1956.

"The Labour Ministry proposed to repeal Industrial Disputes (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1956 as recommended by the P C Jain Commission," a statement said.

The ministry has asked to submit suggestions on the proposal to repeal the legislation by February 20.

The Act was enacted in 1956 to make certain amendments in the Industrial Dispute Act 1947, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) 1946 and to repeal Industrial Disputes (Appellate Tribunal) Act 1950.

The Act is listed among those laws by the Law Commission, which are no longer relevant and can be repealed. Some of these laws are also not in harmony with the existing climate of economic liberalisation.

The ministry has received a communication from the Prime Minister's Office as well as Cabinet Secretariat to start process of repealing the Act.

The proposal seeks to repeal Section 30, 31 and 33 of this Act which are no more relevant and are yet to be repealed. The Section 2, 29, 32 and schedule of the Act has already been repealed in 1960.

According to Section 30, the pending proceeding before the a Tribunal constituted under the Industrial Disputes Act 1947, would be adjudicated and disposed even after the commencement of the Act.

Section 31 provides that the Industrial Disputes Act as amended by this Act will not override state laws.

Section 33 also provides that the proceeding in the Appellate Tribunal constituted under the Industrial Disputes (Appellate Tribunal) 1950 will be disposed even after commencement of this Act.