Plea in Madras High Court against Tamil Nadu government notification on auto components industry

CHENNAI: A petition has been filed in Madras High Court challenging the Tamil Nadu government's December 24 notification declaring automobile components manufacturing industry as public utility service.

When the petition by United Labour Federation came up today, Justice C S Karnan directed impleadment of Hyundai Motors India Ltd and posted it to April 20 for further hearing.

Federation Secretary D Christopher contended that the notification was faulty and "the decision had not been taken on the basis of any material".

"It is a perverse exercise of power," he charged. "Public emergency and public interest require such declaration to be based on material that indicates public emergency or public interest requirements. In the present case, there is no material available to arrive at such a satisfaction," he contended.

The petitioner wanted the court to declare the notification null and void.

The federation alleged that the impugned notification had been issued on the basis of the request of the Automobile Manufacturers Association and not on the basis of independent evaluation of the Department of Labour and Employment.