Kerala State Electricity Board & Anr vs Kurien E.Kalathil & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, specifically in relation to a notification issued by the Government of Kerala on 30th March, 1983. The Court held that the contractor's claim for enhanced wages under this notification was valid, as the Industrial Tribunal had determined that the revised minimum wages were applicable to the construction work in question. The Court upheld the Tribunal's award, affirming the contractor's entitlement to the increased wages despite the Board's cessation of payments from January 1985.