STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LTD. vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of the jurisdiction of the State Government to refer an industrial dispute regarding the absorption of contract workers as permanent employees under Section 10(1)(c) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970. The Court held that the reference was impermissible as the State had not prohibited contract labour under Section 10 of the 1970 Act, thus denying the workers' claim for absorption. The judgment emphasized the need for proper jurisdictional authority in such disputes, ultimately upholding the earlier award that deemed the reference not maintainable.