LABOUR INSPECTOR, CENTRAL vs THE CHITTAPORE STONE QUARRYING CO. (P) LTD. & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the employment of quarrying Shahabad stone does not fall under the scheduled employment of stone-breaking or stone-crushing as defined in Item No. 8 of Part I of the Schedule to the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. The Court clarified that stone breaking and stone crushing pertain specifically to non-stratified limestone recognized as rock, and not to the more valuable stratified limestone. The High Court's decision to quash the proceedings against the respondent was upheld, affirming that quarrying activities do not equate to the definitions provided in the Act.