Spectra Packs Private Limited vs The Authority Under The Minimum Wages Act and Labour and Conciliation Officer

Ram Mohan Reddy, J.—Having heard the learned Counsel for the parties, perused the pleadings and examined the order impugned, undoubtedly, the opportunity of hearing extended to the petitioner to place before the Competent Authority all relevant material constituting substantial legal evidence of the fact of having paid the workman wages in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 is found wanting. Regard being had to the fact that the lis brought before the Competent Authority is over the failure to pay the minimum wages, it is appropriate to extend a fresh opportunity to the petitioner to place before the authority all such relevant material as is necessary to establish the defence of having paid wages in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 or in excess thereof. In that view of the matter, this petition is allowed, the order impugned is quashed and the proceeding remitted for consideration afresh. Parties to be present before the authority on 25-2-2014 without further notice.