Sri P N Munirathnam vs The State Of Karnataka on 24 April, 2009

0
94
Karnataka High Court
Sri P N Munirathnam vs The State Of Karnataka on 24 April, 2009
Author: S.Abdul Nazeer
 

IN THE'. HIGH comm' OF KARNA'I'AIut._5:?     -- ~
sxo late Periapga  "   
R12: No.26;'§.,9'3C cmss,' .' 
Parimaia  Nandiaini-,_La3iout,

_ Banggtldre :- 566  V

  
S/ca {ate 
Rfa ?€*:}.1'1,I""A Main,

  % é   % -.J.c. N3gaf;~M81la1fiiS1mfip11f8m,
" V  Vfiazagaloré' ~» 560 096. ,. .. ?etiti0ners.

  iz;.L. Patii, Adv.)



 

And :

The State of Kamataka, V
By its Principal Secrctaxy,' 
Energy Department,
Dr.z-knbedkar Road,
Bangalore »- 560 0Qi...__

Kamataka Power  

C0fp0f&1i01'lLiIni V
Bangaiorég W560 001%',

Reptd. I3§jits . " .

The Mzajxagiurwzg ..  V
B_F3S«C{)§T\%£ K.K*;$ir¢i«*:, "-
B,angaI(_>r7'e'   _  ~  _ -- '

The 3s}ian3g,in§Di41V'é9i6r,."-~'L'

MESCOM,.,Manga1dre.

: * -. i:éA_i»iar:$:1A:g:';~1g Director,
"  GES€{u)M,".j(';uIbarga.

Q A  fiiiéfiioyees Union,

R:?..gd.«VNo.659, A Smticm 
 Ran Circle,

Q " * Bangalore W 560 099,
"  By its General Secretary.

Vikas Sam, %

.,'§'{axrf¢ri  1 .. V'  '

 



Sri M.Nagaraj,
350 Ian': Mlviunfivenkatappa,   
Aged about 50 years,  T 3
Waking as .F'~'asst.I?.Xeeutive Engifieer (Eiectricai), ' 
BESCOM, Cmpomtimm, K.R,Circ1e, ' .4  
Bangaiore -- 560 002. '

(By Sri Shashidar 3. Karamadi, HCG33 for RI" 1." 

Sri BC. Prabhakar, Adv. for M,/Vs  AfS--.for R2,
Sri Subbarae, Sr. Adv. for _M!'s Su.hba_Ra0 -& Ce'.,f'fof  
Sri B15',Acharya,Sr.A;1v;f9r*~Sri Eiandesh J,-..Ch®:t;1,'Ai>iv.f0r R?)

 :;><P.M§.si[22?«§:»22x?3;26a9

Between:

1

 » Sri  A' 
 .V Sft"; later" Chaimaiah,
Lki%g%d'ab¢v!&43%y'aara3%

EJa,fl't.*t}-* 0§0'C¢E';B.!§£A;er:,
BESCGRL Kfiffiréle,

 Bangalqre ~_~v:3*@ E3131.

 1  ' --  H, Kfi§E1n§ppa,

$213: Hbizappa,

 Aged*aheut 52 years,
"  __ " '§11n§;;;r Enginser, TOD Divisicrng
T. V T  'KPTCL, KR Circie,
" _ "BaI;.gal0re «» 560 602.

   



 

  %  % ~ L   The xiaagggng Director,

3 Sri C. Devaragi,
S,/o Sri Ch a, 
Agedabom-48years,  
Working as ASK, MT Divisitm,
BESCOM, Ananda R30 Circle,

Bangaiorc - 560 009.      

(By Sri Mehaxmd Nasiraddin, Acfiv.)
And: V 

1 Principal Secretarytothe  'V A
(}oven1Inm1tofKam_ataka,{ 1.   ~ j'
Energr  :  ' 

Dr.Ambec!1<z:'r'Rg}&d;""  J  
B¢a11gaI<:§5r§"--:   5' '  ' ' ' 

2    
Corporatiofz LLi%mitecie,
Bangalore' «.;%55;;i%oo2.

ék

A .. f V. MESCOM, Mangaiore.

  ;iT%2é'1§iana$'ng Director' ,

  ..._f33ESC€}M, Guibarga.



 

6 KPTC Emplcryees Union,   
Regd. N0.659, A Statian Compeund, V
Anaaéa Rao Circle,

Bangalore ~ 560 009,  
Reptd. By its General Secretary  *
Sri G. Narayanswanziy.

7 Sri M.Nagaraj, 

Sfo late Mlviunivexxkamppa,' V

Aged abeut Si) years,   _  U. 

Workingas Asst._}'Zx§:c:1tivcjEngii1'::er,  ' 
BESGGM, Co113%ora'£icinV %'§¢;:e; R;Clir_cl'e, '' " 

Bangalore - §6(2i}£)2".'-V'    _  _   Respondents.

(By Sri Shashiiiar s»'*ir_Ivix'§ Beepaiam A13 for R2,
R3 to RS.  . --V  _ '  
Sri Suhbarao, S3; Esdv. far 3-.fIf:§ Stbba Race 8: Co§ved."_Mifi: aif'

these writ petitions, they are clubbed  heardfiizfzwci "di:§§p0§¢:9)
whereby the  "appoi311eé as me of the:
Direcmrs 2:321'---§I1:e   Transxzzissien C-{)1'p{?I'&t§O.!.'1
   Supgly C-eangany Linaited,

Ma:1§&i(§V:*.s.;~;T.  C0n1pan3s Limiteé and Guibarga

  Ei€.'C"f1'iCi'{j='  Limited (far short 'the companies').
 4'  The g:>eii§ione1°s are the niembers Gfthra Kamataka Pawer

'[_"Fr$z1.~fi_it;iA$éii§i2A C-orpcration Eimpioyees Unixzm, Bangaéore' 'i'¥:1e 7"'

' -fmspéizééfit is working as an Assissiaxlt Executive Engineer ia

ii}

V



Bangaiore Electricity Supply Ccmpatxy Limited, K.R,Circie, 
Bangalore. He had filed a civil suit in O.S.Ne.523Gf2008 before the  
Additional City Civi} Judge, Bangalcre, for injunction   
defendant N053, 4 and 6 thérein viz, :{-Vi')"' 'U¥}i§)t'_1! V  
Committee represenied by its   

Commissioner, Baagaiafe, (ii) Sri Ché'nfi§Ei§é;ad2221.ii':a_  

General Secretary of KPTCL 33?-xn;>loyx:~::s" _a.n::i €'iii}"AAL{3'sii-33

Cemmittee Centre of KPTCL E1n'1§}JoyeésL~ by its

Secretary, Exzlafsanizfieci Sa;§9§i11_i1a.ii*:21:i"1ai:i:;g any actian that weuld
diserxtiiie him fz'c%m_V Vzaxeréisingg " sights as a 1:1::m¥:3er 0f the
§<Za§:1aia}:*<}§'king I'res§<'l;mt
0f the Union. It is argued  working
Presideat of the U:3:i-:31:   In this
connection, he h2£s V     various Rifles and
Regulations (jt"th§-.;Vr;::i§i"is  £1§éii"§i§;cvi11g regard 19 Rims
11(3), the eiecgied  111e2nb<=zrs can aiene
elect aznongsfi IE'1eV'rii:'s.s3I}?es itigze bearers such as 0) one Senior
,'§'?ii:w:*.   gem: 'Vice President (except Baxlgalere

   one General Secretary, (iv) one Joint

Sea':ret2.I~'f'3'._' (_«'v)  Eissistani Secretaries (vi) cone Organising

 for  0 & M Circie, (vii) (me 'Fre:a.sure:r (viii) {me

':._'_'v"4'5;ss'3;§tat1t:Treasurer, In addition to the eiected memhers, not more

.  five members can be ctyopied by C-entra}, Exexcuiive

  in case it feels necessary t0 have representatitm from

 w any establishment cf the Corporation" Interim} vacancies in {he

E
ii:

£



 

10

Central Exmutive Committee shall also be filled up by  A. V

The cc-opted members may also hold the pests of l" 

specified abeve till the next elections unless   ' " 

He submits that the 7"' respondent is neither a  of  Lkaioxzll  A ' ~ V'

nor has he been cc:-opted as such. i;$"n9 peSt.Qf"a:'ixe§i;i11§.§
President as per the Rules and I-:§gr,::;ia{i_a§ifis _€§r$'~llj;efiI;§:;i«:3n. Tliéréibra,
the appointment ef the '23' respmjxglént  xva§fi'fi§;g__'E?resident. is

totally withgui 'E1 " {hat having reegard

to Rule 1l(<i§I{_i:~;'.j, lhé   C0n1mitteel1as;€he pewers

to flame sl}?3usidll:ll3'3;i.:a.::fV the Union fmm time ta time. $23 the guise <1-f 'tbs
   7*" respondent cannot be appeinted as the wezking

K  of the Unieng If the appoinzment ofihe 7%' respondent 3;»;
   working President itself £5; c0n11*ary' 1% the Rules and

Regulatiens of the Urxienl quesrtion 0f his appeiaiment as {fie



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-,1:
1»,
1:
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12

Electricity Board. The ";"*respo11de:nt has not taken the n1e1nbersl1i;:{. 

of the said Assmiation. Therefore, the appointment of th§;"""?'3?"   

respondent as the Director ofthe Companies is iliegai and.  ._

authority of law.

6.. Sri R1,. Patil, learned "V.appeai*i:}V_g"'Af€Sr 

petitioners in W'.P.Nos.1800~l80.0}"24fj)09 sn%1§i::i:§%%:1{a;iz~:;1e man {hr

incsusion of Article 30(l)(a) in the fvfgrfibrfitiduaiv"'iif1f§?""i;i;nited and Guibarga Electricity

Su§31'_;i:y?.  to effectuate {he abject wlaind Ariieie

  of of India. It states that the State shall take

"  'by suit2ii21§e t'legisIati:3a1 or in any ether way to gesture the

 "paf€ici;3_a"ii£3ni.--'of 'markers in ?he managemmt cf 'L1ndeI'Laki:2gs_,

- $

":é§tahi_i$h:§11e11ts or csfher organisations engaged in any iifiustrjg. The

  behind the saié Aflticie is far paxiicipafieix Gfthe wcrrkersyin

2;}



13

the xnanagement and not for the paréicigaation ofthe Qfiicer cf

xnanagement of undeitaking, astatxlishnaents or other orgax1is.:%:ién§_' jf  -I~ 

engaged in any mdtxstry. The 7d' resp<)r:den»tmVibs; an  bdf'. * _

KPTCL. He is also a (iisciplinary a'uthmit3Hin    '«

cannot effectively represent the wt:-rI<:i;1§:¥n-~ jg; ihé:~n1az1aga?g11'e:§tv«0fh 

undertakings. The Union has re§comme:;d§Civ.the_»_Vnanié '0fvthe 3'}'fi'

respondent ibr appointment   / i')i.re§:{::'i§)1'u.A aferesaid

ccrznpazuies eniiiev  af§31is fiahig thevseriiing President ofthe
Unicm. The Sfiaté 4C:{}vé1':2Vé§;ahi»  happiicaiion cf mind has

aacepted the recémnzenéaiiéiav " has issueé the .n0tifica1;ien

,iIiipi.1_g:1e-ii }i.=:r{§:ri;1. ".fhus.,, ih£§'ficatian in questicsn is; arbitrary and

:vi<§i3ii*vé    {if the CO!}§iI.'£}I.i{)I1 ofkxdia.

 7» O2: _§'h:3 ether hand, Sri.  Subba Rae, Ieanieé Senior

 {I<$tii§:sz':i_» figarpearing fixer file Unian has Sifilighi £9 jzzsféiiia the

.   no1if'iea¥,ie:n* it is argued that timuglx the suit flied by the

  respondent in ().S.P'e--   A'

member of the Ijniaa. Therefore, question of his cmoptinfgj  .

Member does net arise as he c-ontinned 1:0 be a».;:;é:::1'{'n?:;' f

Union. The Union has appointed 73' 1fesp_0nciefii_ as; its ',v¢:§rI;i§1 g 

President for proper adminisération ef the  yvhicii 
in accordance with the power' §;{i1rferr7§:d  Rules and

Regulations of :35'théihégvetitioxxers had filed
a suit in O.S.N§3;253<%¥f 'EJ§§2i.0n for 3. declaratien that
aniy €*fI1§!}0}?8€SF1'.§5O£'1{f£E£flVVV'Oi;  whes are waking in
¥a.ff_:'§§us eaiegéfles 231enfié1§é il§:A}i¥1fiX¥lft3 I to semeznem daiexi
1:11; categerieg of Assistam Ezzgizzatar -- Nan-

Gradiiaté Assistants, who amwer the éefiziiiiotl

 "'1}f»,€I'IC1i}1Cl"js?'.':_c"%'V'11i1d'?«.-3"' Emile 3(i§i) of Rules and Reguiaiions of the

.3313 for  {fiber reiiefg. The Cour: beiow has refuses: {V1: 7 A

ant} others have flied their written  cppésiglg .ti_1é»3aAici 3:ziL 

The triai Ceufl did not grant may i21te1fir11--.i;1 112%   in
faveur of the petitione:sfp1a.i1ififTg§.h  "-.2_1fv«~;5§>1Vi;?1',eur2," ih.% :':'§'_Vrespondem
was appointed as the' _f1§ii1f¢ctof;f<5f'    By
suppressing Ihesag.   filed 111336
writ petitiensuii   3G(l){a) 31" the
M-ern0ranci11¥i3a_ of :fig'__£i<§;Ies ef Associatiml of the

KFTCL and Ad§c§.§%M?vé-A .i1{i1:é'§§ie:n0rm1dum cf" Asseciatien and

_£av.t't:§cIes ::_';§ss¢£;ciafii3:1«,Qff«.1}1e Bangalore Electricity Supply

C's3nip§;1 1}*--.,1\ziangaiore Eiecfréciiy Supply Cempzmy

 »,__,»LirI1it€ the Company. Even if ihe ?"' respondent is not a

  Pregiéent ef "the Uxiien, the Gcvemmeni mi! rxxay appaént

  him} as the fiirector. I~iav§ng regard $0 the ifisififi and a3i2w":-u§:;sta§c=;%g

 efflme case? 'there are :10 maiafidc-3 in exercise 02%" discretion by iiiéf:

5
'\§~¢f



 

1'?

Union and the 7"' respondent for declaration that 

esnpioyeesfworkanan ofthe Union in various categories n1_e-;ritio:1oé:i-  -1~ 

in Axmexure I to oettlenlent dated 25.9.2{)9§Moxoludi;:g'Caiégofi;*:;s * _  '4

of Assistant Engineer -- Notbgraduate   5: 'A

Assistants, who answer the tiefi11itio2i§ o::f7 .Vor:1plo3-we z.moxé_r A-';3o;a§**a;i_}'ei--..prooeedings for the same reiief by way of

  writ.   the appoiutment of '7fi" respondent as the

_,  ?fs:-oiiierlt of the Union was iegal or not is a disputed

  fact, which has 'io ho dostified ix: me suit. The Siam

  ifroyemmmfi at its discretion has appointed the 'fa' respondent as the

 "  Director of the zzompanies. It is not necessary that a woricnlao alone

is required to be appointed as the }}ii'"e€:'{0:". An eznpioyee is also 3

E

'age



 

18

worker of the cempany, who may be appeirrteé 1:3 ti1¢..§ffi§.¢ V  

question. The Rules and Re-guiatioras of the[L¥n§:<):é};s 

only for the worlsxmn but 3330 far the Qther v'et1}'p2<3yees"'Vi3;f7   3

company. In the larger interest ofthe  of ihe
the Union has thought it fit to   
Director, who can efiéctiveiy   
Merely because the '3,§as&%-d a speaking
order whiie    Director of the
Conxpazfies,   'héiéin catmot be quashéd.

9. I have' {£33 arguments mafia by the
lgamed C§z§§:13sei.at   perused the materiais piaezeszi on

record. ' = .. _

 of the petitiruizers in W._P.Nc:s.22?6-«

"  ?'j  iszthzht the 7"' rezssponéent is not the member cf {he {}I1i€I}fl

 316:. has' he_fc9~0pted as such. F-urther, there is no provisian for

 %i;3p:0_ini.§':1e:1t af 3 member as the w0ris:ing Presiiient. E1; is not

ii:

7-3.;
'2'»   .

fesliowing reiiefs:

" : _ _, - . ._
WHEREFORE the p1amtifi"s'%%m}§s: re-sp§éctfi;l13§':  

prays that this Hmfbie Cotzfl may bé"n: ga,nt§1 ' 

judgment and decree in the  

and circumstances  the  i11.fLh_r'g of

justice, eqafiy  A
a)    féizgilcryeefifsvorficxneil of the
9"' defémj_ai';tA K3rnéi1;;iiia:_4}:3}r_e%étriscity Beard who are
W1fls:i:3g  §'£i.1"1'{).T&IS ".€.'i{?':i'2.f.gOI'i:'2-Si mentieaned in
,A;n§e:;u}fe»§%% as  «s.e:::emem dated 253.2905
  (excluding the caiegories 9f
  N "E:ig2ieer~N<)n»Gradua1e and Sezzictr
'Fi'3'_I%§'(}i}&;i  who answer the definition of
 _ "Er'i:r;3}<;iy§3-e'V' under Section 3('ii£) of the Ruiers and
V  "§?;<:.gf.2ié,iions ef the first defendant ifiniim pmduced
A' ,ia:. .-zrinnexure 'A' harem to Seciion 2(5) 3f the

'   ___i'.3.Act, 1947 aiqne are eniiiied to became and

1



 

5)

For. 

20

continue as Eviembers of the 1" dgfendant 'i'fzide*: 

Union;

DECLARE that Categories of Qfiifiérs tiaentietnééii  " ° V
in paragraph 9 ofthe plain':  Anfiexrgre  
hereto like defendantg __2 to 8 ~are~.,(_VZ}fi'1cérs.c3tf 

the Qfi' defendant Cormrxéifqn Qtre jfmt "-::*~;1'"n.~*.r.,f§3 eyeef or
wv0rit;'_t\t;tnd
theratbre nat.,«2!igi'§)le,   'getitinue
as  .,and5'   in the
activities icaf if défénéiétét   

For   ttitfvecting the 1"
def3etidati$'._[Fnioiit€5:gzaxnes ofthe Ofiicers
of the  who are illegally

gage? " i:*:=fegula.z*i3,r_:§VoVnt.i11:11im:1g as members of the 15'

.  * _  Ijaian  tctzmfine its membership only
V  t§,zées;!1a=prkmen as defined under Rate 3(iii)

H " A éftihét  Vand Reguiations of the Ifirliasn read

tssizza smog; 2(3) Qfthe I.D,Aet,, 1947;
pennanent injunctien restraining the

H '§ei1da11ts 2 tan: 8 from fimctimxing as office bearerrs

 anti executive comnxitteze members of the 1"

T deffi2°}(i3IIi*-{}31i()$} since they are not  worémiaaz

within the definition at' 2(3) of Trade Unions Act,

?


Vii

 



 _ f%'g)

21

and the Rules and Reguiations ofthe; "  " 

urzion.

For a permanent £11juncti{m_'_ restfaifiirag aha-i 3   1
defendants 3 and 5 from opcmfiing the 

account standing in thername 9f--«t§i€%'~15'*»d¢fendiia3:i--.. 

Union and they may alga  re:%ira§;1gé,d4  
any poiicy decisions   
{Enion since     the
meaning qf_}i§3eV_'Fr3:§'._¢ Unions Act
and the__    S' defendant
Union: as   the interest of the
kimnbézs :0ft1V1e--   Unien.

For manéssafy aiizmigr;-.v; '<ii:§czing the 9"" defendant
CQ:_§§§dxa$io11 ndt't9 ;9ecog;1ize the defendants 2 10 8

 .,  Eéagfers of the 1" éefandant Union since
  "1};¢y' ih_é_',workmen within the meaning of
"Se'r':'iion 2(§}'j0f:'the Trade Unions Act and the Rifles

 Regulaiifins of the 1" defendant 'Union as they

A  will nor Safeguard the interest of the members of
V' ' *  the  éefendant 

For a manéaiory injunction dirac1.ing the 93'

" "defendant Corpcraiion not to recognise the 2"'

defendant as the Executive President of the 3"
defemiazzi Union for the reason then}: he has been

1;

':53



 

22

declared as not a workmen am he has not contested

and duly elected in the eiections heid 19 the   
defendant Union as 3 Centrai Executive Cexntnitiéqi' .  '  ' 

Members and in View of the Judg;1ar1t»agd  '.

passed in 0S.No.5230f2008 on the :_fEi::::'0f,t1z<§  

Additional City Civii Judge  25;8'.2{)@8.

h) Far a mandatory direction difecfixag the  S

Labour Commissioner,-to issue-~--dir.£:£ttiész;s to  if" 
defendant Union :6. xxsecéi i_ 'Q~13iFe§;5:Ii1<i;3 the

categerries cf middie gnazéagezneni ;:éér$O:3§1gg3..~¢zhe

are: net   definition ()1?
seems 2(5)  mg T:~ac:§L:n§ons Act and the Rules
and Régulfitiofié .<__:dV:"i1;v1é  defendant Union as '(hey
,  net safégufzfd tfis interest cf the Members of

V   "i.h.e E13? défeggfiant  accordingly; and
    reiiezf or reiiefs as this Hoafbie
.' A  C'-curt  it fit to grant in the facts and
'.44€;i2jet;i§;.1s'£éi.i1cses «sf this cage including costs 91' {hege-

 .. V' ;)ro:eédingsf'

    The petitianers in the suit have centemieé that the:

 : "§1  ~-any ethér ifiézajg,
to secure participation V sf wQr1;é;'sVV  V ff£he"~~.§1r}é.I:1a,nai Law of Ifidia, Sevezzth

vE(§i.tA_io1a., t}ié.;obj_é:ciVbehizi§A1fti_s:1e 533%. has been stated as uixder:

"'iI.i"2i cfi;5i§é3_i:é{§fiV'ea:o11o1ny, the fiwnership, aicmg with

V tixékinasréigéeiiiiéng ofany izzéustry or emezprise belongs
 1&9} {hex rnain who provides ihe capitai; the Werkers are
 higéfii' and oniy get Wages from the capitalisi is whorn
Vfgcses the profit 91' the 1033, Under a. sacialist E'-{3(}I1()In}',

V'  °ihere is no piace for 3. capiiaiist, because 35% means ef
productian, mgeiher with their nzazzagenleni, weuid
beioflg, :0 the State. But Socialism d(>€i*S 1301: bs'*:§ifi'%--'€ in

'v'



 

26

any violent transition from capitalism tr: é6iiee:tivism.,.  9.

but believes in a phased transfiion.

Article 435%. is the first  tii>*.*£3;td;é':

socialism in India, age; l2a_vi11gé..li:§se§iedVV méat 

'seciaiist' in the preamble;  
Act, 1976. The scheme of..;:eel&r::w.Altil¢l¢' "tltat
though the ownegsfiigg belosig é'itl:t£>i'ft.e.:at..w:;§I'ivate
indiviciual or {I5    in a
pazticular.  "€3l'f'E:1C;i£:1'[}Ifi:S*3.Itélhtlll;-3)}? ijVe§'slation,. be
given 3   thereof The concrete
ecenomicigstzlt  'tie that the workers

would :29 Io1ig.3tVbe.l1i;fed'--.lalfx$:t1rez's, but shall have an

 -V , " inteftétin_ti1eVvst2cééss.o_f_t1r1e enterprise and woulé have
     The right ta: participation in the
 fléf  industry or undertaking, besides the

 work, ggeréred under Article 41, it is hoped, wilt

Iensuré zhéiterv and mere production without which'

4" K   .t,z¥1atir.mflal fiéveleptnent Weuld & an imp-tyssibiiity, under

 _ inoazy'  g:«:>nditions.''

'4  It £3 clear from the aferesajé Arttcle that the State has to take

S steps by suitable legslaticn or in any other way to secure

2:
E»

1: .
RE:



2?

pazticipaticm of workers in the nzmxagement of the undertaI<;ing_s..VV_:

The Article does not state the panicipation of workmen along ihe    *' 

marnagement of the undertakings. The term J'?wQrker'f' 'do£:s:;: "

mseniially mean a workman as defined in th$~_Ind;jstfiaf"   '

Act. A person enzpleyed in an 0rga11isa'£Vi..A__:1<innal 311I€4 'is ¥hai i;e. f'musi have competed at the seleciiezz, which

  he questioiis,  petitisners are net é3.S§}iI33E1ZS for app9int.111ent

.4   in Vqfiestionf, they cannot chaiienge {he appoizzimezzt izsf

 =tht3 Tf.?A'm,r%:<$§:<:;i1dez11 as the Direcmr 0f the cfimpatxies in qtxexstian' Be

 ii may,

41.':
fe'.':.T



 

29

14. When the Union has unanh11o11s}y""decidea i    

respondent is filsit fit person 10 represent   41316: "   TA

Cempanies in the management, the said flsfiigion $3231.01-be'v_f<§t;iiii'  

fauit with by this Court, The §<si}anc%:.: ifuifi V'éfre;':s{:n and justice azxé net as":-corfiigzg £0
pri§*ai ;§-   2

17.3, Time éafiégzfimcatéfin sent by the Union to the H0n'h1e

 §£;*=x%rgyv Depam11er;L, Govsemmergi <31' Kamataka,

 dateé '?,11;2G68) rwomnzendizag the appoimrnemz 9?

H  §%e3p011éent as the Director 6f the saici Cumpanies, assigns

5.

xii



 

the reasons. as to why he flmuid be appointed _as..£h<_e Difeétda'   _  '4  'V

Companies. The said communication is as mldar.  T ~ 

"Sub: Appointing Sri M,Nagaxaj;;,_ii;od<i:;g Présidetit, 
KPTC Employees L?ni0fi,'=-- (Sf and
Bangaiore, Grdbatga, Mangaicxg and 
Power Supply§.C€§1:1;f3a11ié=,§', ag$fi_:'..Sri~.F;{:j5VA1;i1f§ifiébk1a\?i,
the   Litnégs, §::"fiireCt0r ef
Huhli   V

\l.?_Vfefe1f{é'r:;;é:A*.i€§' fi:ie above said subject, I

. '  iike te Brirgégto year kind perusai that there is
  .g;Efi3=.  fE3;;pi0yav駧«'Uni0n to Kamataka Power

  AV(:3§}:pe:rati0z2 Limitexi and aii the Power
.'S:ifi}f3}y  and the Karnataka Power

V  Corpcration Enlpioyees Efinian is
 A.f_}_1o\x.%i31gt11e poiicy 0:? One Union for one industry.

  Union is the sale Employees Union, which
represents abouf, 42,0536 exnployees am this Unian has

V  intema} §eade-rship ané free  peiitieal paréies and
has an influentiisd leadership. This Union has the pride

sf building the erganizatisan continueusiy fmm 55$

:33
.

31

years in our country with dignity and discipline 3.353 U

had a cordial relationship with the rr:2§1age1ne:a*E**ari€l~.,

the Gevenlrslent and has pretected t’lia,§ iz1ft_§=,-i:*%i:::V.tll§f * V V

employees and all the Corporatiqns,

On the basis of the V}
Govemznent of I§arnatal:.;;§’~;.n file .._<:sf_itl3§ "?01iéyll

f Participation ofthe Etrxplojfeéé *ihe_.
ofthe Corpera.§is3£}:”‘;. it isgzé –(fr€3m; .1977) the
ex KER aI1:¢i~tl1:2< 3._fi(1:;El€4."l:1l'.l§H*».;:llT§,:" Supply

Comgléanifcfi " * (vf3l?l$l;:l§lx:l,;' } CHESCOM,
c;Esc:::m ma –IV§IZl~§.lS;'_'~Z'.,V_(llIIvl'»s-:{_:','ll'–~l§?1.§l1?::"=: centinized the ofiice
bearers ':*eg§resegitingA._v Employees Llnion as

and it '~i..~;fl§eicc§n2e. In the elections held in the

bl . Tzéyéargy eefiega: Body Meeting of the KPTCL
l ;gmp:¢§€g¢sh¢;a in Bmzgal-are on ',26.8.20{}8 and
l' P.G.Am:minabhavi has been elected as

the meeting of the Carafrai Executiw

.. Qenuii-itltee menzlaerg newly elected held utzcie-1* the

x_ * .?r§side:1isl3i;3 ef the Sri F.GA1tm1i11abhav§, newly
6166163 Presisrient 011 23.820089 has uixaaninmtisl};

l ale-cied Senier Hzetnbey Sri M.Nagaraju as the werking

President. In this direction in the C€§.{!°i1§ Exzxufive
Committee Meetizag helé an 6.11.2308, an the policy

32

of pafiicipafion of Employees in the ;_tdmi1_1is1r;itié:1,’* 1:” . ‘

the nxwting has unanimousiy pennittedfio 4’ ‘

Senior member of this ‘{}nion and presémly ”
working President Sri hvi.Nagaraju–v..;§S”V.ihe E”}i:’e¢tcrA
the KPTCL and Bangalore, Gu1ba;+ga;A’»z\;1anga1ore

Chamundeshwari EIectriéit§{..V:%”S1;pAgpIy;V:_ and
the Hon.P.G.Ammjnabhav§,_ H th_§’: _ —the
KPTCL En1ployee§. U_11ioni§s 1;§¢’V.Dir§¢£é;f~.qf age Hubii
Electricity regaxd

unanixnoizs reseigiiitéyhas

Hence?’ h to appoirst Sri
M.Nagara3’u= ?£::side;}I of the KPTCL
Empigraejs Union Aiafithe Diréctor «of Karnataka Power

V’ _Tra;£$s§ti1is;$££}3;vM. AC0rp 0)mti0n Limited, the Bangalore

Company, Mangaiare Eiecirieity

Cc§f;;¥an$§;”Chax11undeshwm1 Electricity Suppiy

C0nipan’g’z2.*§d}<i'~»'{}111ba1ga Electricity Suppiy Company

_ x A and Sri"?.C§~.Anuninabhavi, the Presiéent efthe K?TC
A ..f ainf}is::y'ees and the Directs? effinbii Electrieity Suppiy

_. C.g)2i1pzm};.

33

The copy of the reseiution tif:e?.V:C .é%2tr :§ H
Exeautive Cozzmxfiitee %\zi.e::-tizzg is féV1?1£:§£>s;é;d jgerzzf a

kind perusal.”

16. This was followedfb3r_ a.._}1nai.1’iinm2_s résoiutim of the
Union dated 11.1″£;.’.V’.. ‘()fl.8″– send proposal to the
G()Vef11¥!E6I1’§”1<}. appdifit' the Director 0f the

L we;1<:g;;;-Vé;Px§.%zx;%§;;=;oa.sa;zg Daie:§ 1.: 1.29%.
é
' _ RESOLD'TION

Tiiéfiierztral Executive Committee Evieeiing cf
~_Kamata3<a Fewer Trmasmissien Corpmatien
Emfiibyee Unien newiy elected in the 17"' 'Fri Yeariy
' -Genera; Bed}? Meeting heid an 6.11.2308, it was
3 urzarliaiousiy resolved} to sené a prcposai tea the
Gcxvemmem of Kamaiaka, that on the poiicy ef
Fariicipatiexz of Empisyees in the iidxzmfisixatieil, ta
appeirai the Seniar Ivietnber of this Uniozl and the
present working President Sri M.?<€agaraj'u as the

$2

34

Director of KPTCL, Bangaiore, Gulbarga, V V
and Chamundeshwari Eieciricity Supfily (::’on1;$a:1ies-
and Sri P.G~.AmInéna.bhavi “the Pr¢sideI1{9f’*§31é KI’TC . 2 % T

Employees Utliflii, as the effihg .I_i’i3?.)ii
Electrieity Supply C-mnpany.” ‘ ‘ ” AT ”

I7. Aciing on the said ‘gjeseiutieil,
the State Government .t§$fiQ1;dent as the
Director of the “tree that the State
Govemrnent for appointing
the 7:” respot;i:ieI}f–a§ fhat. by itseif caxmot be a

$03115 10 _=*.;uasi1 _:app<$i11ti11efxt: The Court must exercise its

'§iisére1joi:3;i'§; ipmvezj with gteat camiim and sheuld exercise it in

cf and not maria-132 on the making cut {if a

""'i:«ga1 pbifii. as cextiorari is ciiseretie-nary. 1: is not issued

" ikiréifééy bgeca¥;3:';.éA:'it is lawful to do.» 343. ($ee»CIL4,AIR4LAL KIN:-4N1

COMMISSIONER cu?' 1iNC'0A=iE TAX, WEST

5E?."Nd'AL & 03:33:23 -413 1979 SC (:45). The cm: shouid

" "always keep the mrger pubiic ifiterest in mind in erder ta deaéée

E
2%:

x

making out of a legal point. The Court shelligi a1iv:iifs”*~:”‘ i

keep the larger public interest in :6…’ 4′

decide wheflier its intervention is ca3ied’—fairer ” i’

Onlv when it comes to 3 éicnclusiont ‘ tizai
overwhehriing public interest requigfes iizterfeijencéi ‘the,
Court should intervene.” V V’ A 9 vi _ ii
(:111A;ie:lirzir.:gV_i;;f:’i3},zVtii¢:) hi 9
:3. In M ;*10;w::a;;L iiiavgigvzgszma T2;w’2)e:§TRIEs* um.
15′. STATE 0;?i’1mg};4g§T};%:;gi;N ;”:iif\iij €¥i*-HE;5€S M AIR .2990 SC

469. the Apex:”‘C0″ui_’i arrived at: in 1316
course of Conciliiéitiqii -p§i§difigiiii~~’i’witi3 a recegnized znajerity
1;:iic$%.f”‘*ii§’:§:3»%: 0£§”‘al!….xa%r;rkn1e:2 ofthe establishniesai, ever:

—minority union which had abjected t9 the

i I{‘cf;£5g1i2.eé”iii:ir:¥n having fniij-Ofifg.’ Of members is expeaszteé

” iirgtect thef ii ‘ifrgitiznate imerest of 13.230121″ and enter inn} 3

the best iatexesi cf iabour. This is with the abject is

H ihe Samttiiy ofsetilenleni reached with the active assistance:

zzrf jibe Ccnciliatien Officer and 10 diseeurage am indiviéuai

S empleyee or mitwritfg Llfiiei} ff’€}E’¥} scutiiing the settieiiient. ‘fifhez; a

37

settlement is arrived at (‘luring the cunci3iatioa1.proccedi11’g”s; it biigzdét .

on the members of the Workers* Unio1i”a’as1 iai:d Ei»r.>\’.5’s«*13_..” 1″

Sec.18(3){d) of the Act. It wouki itpséttffictg bifid

workmen who are ail parties to it1dqm*§:a:I’LvdiSp:3te.. is
an the principle of collective industrial
disgutes and for maitxtatning tztrtinézipie; Qf
industrial demoerapy ‘

in the represents as
many as ” Anét in dispute» No other

empmryee excepttxthg pet§tio_:1é.2-r_s” 113% protested for reconmzending

_’?m «apgreintment as the Director of the

Cfimpafiiéa» _ ;”‘t.’£}nion has assigned cegemz reasons tier

‘ Vt ‘-..\’V.;feco:31:.ms:iiding ‘j_:1zt’:ne of the ‘?’i’ respondent as the }}irs=:ct.c>r cf

.§3mI1pax2i§s«;_at1d acting on the said recmnmenéation ef the

‘j State Government has appesintad him as the Digectcar :3?

H V’ titéttfiétmpaaaies, which cannot be feeuzad féuit with 2>§;t§1és tfourt.

S

,1

19. Sri gm. Patii, ieamed Counsel» ‘a1:§;~e=gz1~i1§4’g “‘1″4§,§V’.’;,1;f?.1V€’

petitioners Submits that the State C§<}\?61'I}}"!'i£?I$»3;' }1£i::.¥;_ATI'i($i iigg 7

mind while appc:-inting the 7%' respondefit The DAife-a:__toi' .9f £1:xé

companies. By appointing the '?*V}':-'r:§'spong1«e:1:i..é,f; fi}ire§ibr:,~ is
admittedly got a workman, the 43-A has
been defeated. In thig Counsel
has relied on me if' 1

(s) 3-;i$0WER (:0. L112). &
OTHERS 1&1; j.~”” AIR 1958 SC ass;

(ii) A;H1i.;:; 311Am:*;;1::4 SGSHITH mxmcmni

Tsfiéwr;:1;?: mafow €)14*1*;*u)L4 « AIR 1 931 SC 293;

“{§.§_i)’A§%i4}f’;I€?§¥i%§L:..T1Z¥3’ILE WORKERS’S UzVIO:V’e£c. vs.

L V ‘RRR}ifi@§4KR£Sf;§§€’§¢N’& OTHERS –AIR 1933 SC ‘:5;

‘ A (iv) 2:11;; I§V.?)L«i BANK OFFICERS’ CONFEQEE4 TION

4% Q i2;VIO.N 013′ INDIA & OTHERS’ W AIR 1989 SC 2345;

ff %T (v) Kvamzz S’HRILEKHA VIDYARTIII& OTHERS vs.

” ‘§f24TE 01%’ 1:312 & 0’1″§:fER.S’- (1991; 1 Sec 212; and

3

39

(vi) AIR INDIA STATUTORY C0RR§1-mrigy g_m%[%:%.«:s:%%j

CKNWED LABOUR UNYQN & OTIIERS.

20. In K. S11REER4IHzza4_o’s 1953 aS1c¥x553§),,
the Apex Caurt has érawn a M
’empleyees’ and The
expression ‘e111p¥eyc=’;é ‘ all persons,
male: or fem:aaié;”T’ ” Cifiice, Maixzs
Departnlent, SV’:£V£3zfe;:’§,.’_ ffiéceixfing Station cf the
Company, tsLt”‘” ‘Wc;>ri<;n1e11' denetes 3
Sffliiifitfi 3:112}? Evéaiegories of employees as have been

éxgfzd who magi have a ticket. It is held that

'-s.;:3.2:;h a " dearly fiatelligible in an industriai
_jjj..€_?:5a,!;$iié3»h1nen"£, for security' and Othei' reasans a system of
4: is necmsary far these who wri<: in the Pawer
V. Maths Department err other glaces where essential
is installed whiie others, such as the cieriea! Staff. may

Werk in an office buikijng Where secufity demands are either non»

n._

40

existent or much less insistent. This distinction means thai. ‘

‘workznet1′ are ’employees’, but 311 ’employees_’, are not ‘f\§i?dfk1nén’ 4′

fer the purpose of standing orders. This decisim u A

the cmltentions of the petitioners. In th£:’»;T11féf:;.g2;1It cj9A.S;*T._ne~

‘?”” respondent is an Ofiicer. He .m_ay not Hut h¢AAisH;§I1
employeefworker in the establisiiifiéiyti ‘it, is say that

worrkers include not only Vbi3t’§Isn_’Gt§t§e§ e1i:p§;)f«§ees. There

is no prohibi{vi{§1i’VTVéiih;;}:v ii1′ ;i’4tJ¥1a?_’:’:«’*..IVf:’fi£.’It:£%’:26?VAsseciatien of the
catnpaxiies or ififlértécié Csiynstimiien far appoijxtme-2:1

of a worker 3&1 the r*’?4’I’5’i*£’i$V%11ta5é;i\r锣>f workznen as the Qirecior of

€115 2 ._
2}: ~12: JBHARATIIKZ-4 SGSHIE” KARAMCHARI

“–‘§ casex SC’ 293), the Apex Couzt has held that

“v: ;:};ough the’.44i§i§e”é§ivéigfincipies are not enferize-abie by Ceurts, ii

i *§i§§eé’..:ia0At ‘ti:e.anV’i11at directive principles are less important than

riglts 01′ that they are net binding an ihe va.rius

Vt V . __§z”g;§:I:1§{§f the Staie. It hag been further held that Artide 3’? Offikfl

;

?

:5;

41

Constitution emphaticaiiy states that directive %

nevertheiess fm1damemaI in the goverrxance the” ‘c;-a.§31’:’itr}*’i’a31:<_.i: 'itu 'V

31131! be the duty of the State to apply these pV§'1'a.*-.1,;:*-:i'p.¥:2.*.s: i12T.§1é;zi'§i:1g° V

laws. The éirective principies should Ceurfs' 3.V:_§§2T:;j..'§:;\«;ie. :;:1»1i'W

izaterpreiation. Fuzxéamentaj rig§1ts: s.".1_0uIc§ 'in {he
light of the directive principles and §hmz§ <i and

wherever possfble, be :e'a§é;.ji§'i'£o the foInier§"'F:ir<éi*§* viaté attacked an

the gronnd of 'Qf.a igigilt shozzid, among
ether cea11siéra1'.V%a13£.i_01'1$':,_ :out if the law éoes net
advance em: or 0i§7Ia':é1j%%<;;f' épriixcipies C?!" if it is not in
d§$uvhfi.1fg$ é§%£'ifi9f .i,1nd<;;ubted obligatierris of the State,

cmis'-igimiiéziai :2; Véythaarixiise, towards its ciiizens £1?!' sections sf its

,_AA'¢i1izens,"fl§:w'ingV 'Qi:}vj.':.dfVih3 preanible, the direetive princigles and

mine': pr0vis§::mS"'0f fife Cemstitution.

'.31; '2x:g2*I§:2;~:4.L TEXTILE WORKERS' :m().i\rs case

:$'C 75)? the Apex Court has reiterated what has been

smrin AKHILA 31L41a4T13:4 305312' K;4.RA;}ICI£4RI

s case (slxgra). The Apex (fear: has heid that the vmriiers

3.

_;

3%
‘-A

«’3.

. . ‘iv-“~””

43

heid that the object of Section 9 is to empower the Cenuafi

Gewernrnent ta make 3 schelne fer the constitution of the BQ2gfi:i”e–f’_* ~. ‘ ‘

Directors so as to ixwiude represefitatives of the t?3’I1§§l_Cfy”:3t3§§:”~?1I1!§.: «

other specified categeries. The represe11tative§s_ of’:ihs.=.jS.7e categories”

:31′ peopie are 10 be eiilarzr eiected er .iiQ!T_§1}Ti1aiE.;d_ ii; fi1eT.2″n2gf;z§;:~zuj
specified by the Scheme. The legislature ii3s._le§iV it i0″ih.eT_Ce:1tfai
G0vertm1e1It in make a schetne Vprévidizéfg a;1g;0’i’fitsnez2i is the

Beard from ‘ by eies’:-lion or
by no11}i11a£i0:1. T}1%: irfide sf appasintment is, 1::-f
ceurse, lefi my (:é11?r§?.i but it is mt an uzzresirained
§i,A a discretian which must be

reas “€:0::1j:3::*2eratial emerprise’

In the esent case also, the 7″‘ yes fiiifiiif ha §§bé%fift~ L.

unaninlousiy chosen by the Union for appoi1:;f3neI’:£’ as {fie f)i*r:.{-::tz>;’V ‘V

80 that there can be an effective paxiicipaiiogz éfthéz w0ri.<;.£'<3r§:é in " .

'file management of ihe Companies. "110 preliibiiifinv-:ibz:'§}1e

7*' responcient to be appointeai ' 1. fl _ .. _

22. In KL-“MARI SHRILE ‘1’{A. VImig1Rr;;*1j¢eJ}oTH.a:Rs*=s

case {(1991) 1′ sec 212} ;”the Aggéifi t§;¥,xa~5i;”e:ver3,> State

action, in ordver ts _$iiI*;?fi?f<:: "1':111°:_:=1_i1"L*',~t_'l.':e mzsceptibie is the vice of

a,rbi'£ra..riness Wfi§C§h is the –~;§=:»ic1e E4 and basic is the rule of
13%: the systern V'w}_V3icl1 gQ\?e:y1'snj:;'s, {lenferment of the power

tqgether the éis¢fei.i<§n which gases with it to enabie propeg
:é:»zgr¢i'se.§f"§?1e;"' coupled with the {int}: 10 ghun a.rbit1'a2*i_r:es5:

in i'£sL"'s;2_~;ez*ig:is:«:*"shd'ieV.ip:'bmote file object {hr which the power is

4,,,,,r;:onferre£1;–..w}1i§:}2~wafizidubiediy is public imetrest and 119% individual

-. §2sr.._;§:%ivate ga”.§;tV1,_ 1~whim er caprice of 323}? i:2div£éz,2a£. All persons

‘1.”‘e;it:r§_’st¢d’ i:>s*i1:i1 any such power have is bear in mind its ziaeeessargs

E

46

brought by 42*” Constitsstian (Amenfiment) 9 1 976_.IJ§5s§n.” _

the State to secure by suitable legisiatien ovfiin :;i.rr3: :V()fl1:’G3_” wziy, Tr ‘

paflicipation of Workers in the r11.;magen1em’v. 0?

establéshmems or other 0rgani$ation engégszd ‘§_I_l To
make these rights meaningfixi £6.w§%ori{1ne1%§’:g1i£i’–i§1a:é¥j;éngfi;} gighi to
life a re-a.iity to werkmen, shifg.0;)?’ju¥;1ici3.1,e;fié:ita1i§:x” iéem private

Iaw principles :0 p:_zb.¥ic izxtérgirefiatiqxx fusing the

interegt ofthe_i;}dividii:1i’.:g;;tfe.pf£r:1§¥1fir paxamaunt interest of

the commufi;§ty.~. TheV}Lv§§is:iaE_fi1:;éti0i:’0i’ a Court, thereforei. in

interpreting the ‘€54<_)I:.5*tit1it:'-Qfi épmvisions eafthe Act. requéses

to bufid u;.;§c3nti11uitjg» elf '${}Ci0—E:C0z}023}iC erupawerment to the poor

{Q $i1s*uai :i oppeflunity and status an-:i the £39.; shouid

ceii'.?té1:2'£;1j«'V "ihje~._fieeds and espiraiicm of {he S{}Ci€'1_\/' in

""V'estab3iéh–§;_V1g sc%a.1 erder. Th6:-refore, the com:-epés

agigrafied if} the statuie require inierpremiicm frem thai

without doing vielence is the ianguagas-., Sash an

wouié eiezagaie the spirit ami p’.§1’§)OS£’ csf the

“V ‘ ~__ Céaisiimiiaa ané fllaifilé the afrsresaié rights :9 the worr}<_me2'2 3, reaiiijgs

3}}

47

lest estabiisinnent ofan egalitarian social §rder;%:m:1dTTbei’g:s:xj4:x::;..gA5

and Constitutionai goai defeated.

In the present case,” .l.§gIe1n;>ras;V-xéli;:2x”‘*»:m;i_° and
Articies sf Assceciation sf Articles 30(1)a{a)
and 74-A empo\§?cz§fjg:~ gxonxinate the

Directors _t’h_e’:’ app0intment of the 73′
respendezfit, a ihe Uxxiorn is 91113: to fulfii

the censtitiiiiprsai gegi.’ 7 .. . j

” A atifiiiiivagly angle, the impugaeci order daes net

i:a;Ii«.?”_€’r3f ‘%nf£e:iL’r’a.n¢a. There is me merit in these writ petitiotxs.

are dismissed. This order shouid net be

: as expsressing any opinion an the vafidity cf

Vagaspofiitxnent of 7″‘ respondent as the workmg ?resiéen’t :33?’ the

The said quesfian has is be kcided in the suit

O.S.Ne.7982/$309 flied by the petitioners hereiifiaéiaiath 53

bef-are the Civii Court. No costs.

BMM:”2;442009

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