NATIONAL JUTE MFRS. CORPN. LTD vs KATIHAR MAZDOOR SANGH

The Supreme Court upheld the Industrial Tribunal's award granting one day's paid holiday on Deepawali to the workmen, which had been a practice prior to 1979. The Court noted that despite the Bihar Industrial Establishment (National and Festival Holidays and Casual Leave) Act, 1976 not being applicable, the tripartite settlement of 1983 allowed for such holidays. The management's substitution of Deepawali holiday with a holiday on 2nd October was found to be unjustified, affirming the workmen's rights under Section 12(1)(b) of the Jute Companies (Nationalisation) Act, 1980.