M.D.,Hassan Coop.Milk ... vs Asstt. Regnl.Director, E.S.I.C

The Supreme Court examined the liability of the Hassan Cooperative Milk Producer's Society Union Limited to pay contributions under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 for workers employed by contractors for milk transportation. The Court held that the appellant is liable to pay ESI contributions as the workers, although employed by contractors, were engaged in the core activities of the appellant's business. The Court affirmed the applicability of Section 45A of the 1948 Act, emphasizing that the nature of the work performed by the contractors' employees falls within the ambit of the Act, thereby upholding the order for payment of contributions.