National Jute Manufacturers ... vs Katihar Mazdoor Sangh & Others

The Supreme Court upheld the Industrial Tribunal's award granting workmen a paid holiday on Deepawali, which had been a practice prior to 1979. The Court noted that despite the management's claim that the holiday was substituted with a paid holiday on 2nd October, evidence indicated that Deepawali was indeed a paid holiday before nationalization. The Court emphasized that the tripartite settlement of 1983 allowed benefits under the Bihar Industrial Establishment (National and Festival Holidays and Casual Leave) Act, 1976, to continue for the workmen, thus affirming their rights under Section 12(1)(b) of the Jute Companies (Nationalisation) Act, 1980.