WORKMEN OF METRO THEATRE LTD., BOMBAY vs METRO THEATRE LTD., BOMBAY

The Supreme Court held that under Section 17A(4) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Tribunal has discretion to determine the effective date of its award, and no general rule exists for retrospectivity. The Court found that the Tribunal's decision to grant wage and dearness allowance revisions effective from 1-1-1977 was reasonable given the company's financial circumstances. The appeal was partially allowed regarding gratuity, and the matter of dearness allowance linkage was remanded to the Tribunal for further consideration.