GODAVARI SUGAR MILLS LTD. vs KEPARGAON TALUKA SAKHAR KAMGARSABHA, SAKARWADI

The Supreme Court held that the Industrial Court had jurisdiction to decide disputes regarding the abolition of contract labour under Section 73A of the Bombay Industrial Relations Act, 1947, despite the employer's claim that such matters fell under the exclusive jurisdiction of a Labour Court as per item (6) of Schedule III. The Court clarified that issues related to the mode of employment, including contract labour, are encompassed within 'industrial matters' as defined in Section 3(18) of the Act, and do not infringe upon the employer's fundamental right to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. The appeal was allowed, affirming the Industrial Court's jurisdiction in this context.