THE BIJAY COTTON MILLS LTD. vs THEIR WORKMEN & ANOTHER

The Supreme Court upheld the Labour Appellate Tribunal's decision to modify the minimum basic wage awarded by the Industrial Tribunal, citing the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (XI of 1948). The Court ruled that the Tribunal's adjustment of wages in accordance with a statutory notification issued two years post-award was lawful. It clarified that the Central Government must specify an industry as controlled for it to be deemed the appropriate Government under Section 2(a)(i) of the Industrial (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 (65 of 1951). The appeal by the employer was dismissed, affirming the wage determination process followed by the Tribunals.