BHARAT COOP. BANK (MUMBAI) vs COOP. BANK EMPLOYEES UNION

The Supreme Court addressed the question of the 'appropriate government' under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1946, in relation to a Multi-State Co-operative Bank. The Court held that the definition of 'Banking Company' under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, must be considered as it stood at that time, and subsequent amendments cannot alter its interpretation for the purposes of the ID Act. Consequently, the Court upheld the Division Bench's ruling that the appropriate government is the State Government, thus affirming the applicability of the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act, 1971, to the case at hand.