BHARAT SINGH vs MANAGEMENT OF NEW DELHI TUBERCULOSIS CENTRE, JAWAHARLALNEHR

The Supreme Court held that Section 17-B of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 applies to awards passed prior to August 21, 1984, provided they have not become final. The Court established that the section mandates payment of wages to workmen under three conditions: reinstatement by the Labour Court, employer's appeal against the award, and the workman not being employed during the appeal period. The Court emphasized that Section 17-B is progressive legislation aimed at protecting workers' rights and does not explicitly state it is non-retrospective, thus allowing its application to earlier awards.