KERALA STATE ELEC.BOARD vs KURIEN E.KALATHIL

The Supreme Court examined the applicability of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, particularly in relation to a notification dated 30th March, 1983, which revised minimum wages for employees. The Court held that the contractor's claim for labor escalation payments was valid, as the Board's cessation of payments from January 1985 was unjustified. The Court emphasized that the contractor's payments to employees under the revised wages should be recognized, and the dispute should be resolved in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act.