KARNATAKA ELEC. BOARD vs THE AMALGAMATED ELEC.CO LTD

The Supreme Court upheld the Industrial Tribunal's award granting reinstatement and back wages to 28 workers of Amalgamated Electricity Company Ltd. under the Karnataka Electricity Undertaking (Acquisition) Act, 1974. The Court found that the earlier award in I.D. No. 11/71 did not bar the subsequent reference under I.D. 32/86, as the issues were distinct and the principles of res judicata did not apply. The Court affirmed the Tribunal's decision that the workers were entitled to reinstatement and 50% back wages from 7.10.1978 until reinstatement.