MADHYA PRADESH MINERAL INDUSTRYASSOCIATION vs THE REGIONAL LABOUR COMMISSIONERJABALPUR AND OTHERS

The Supreme Court held that the notification issued by the Madhya Pradesh Government under Section 5(2) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, prescribing minimum wages for stone-breaking and stone-crushing operations in mines was ultra vires. The Court determined that item 8 in Part 1 of the Schedule to the Act does not cover stone breaking and crushing incidental to mining operations but is limited to quarries. The notification could not be enforced, although the Government could amend the Schedule under Section 27 to achieve its objectives.