Industrial Disputes : Adjudication in India

The adjudicatory authorities, viz., Labor Courts, Industrial Tribunals and National Tribunals, as provided under the Industrial Disputes Act are specialized Tribunals functioning outside the hierarchy of ordinary courts and are entrusted with the task of adjudication of industrial disputes. The concept of compulsory adjudication was statutorily ushered in with a view to providing a forum and compelling the parties to resort to the forum for arbitration so as to avoid confrontation and dislocation in the industry. If the legislature in its wisdom thought it better to provide for periodical payments rather than lump sum compensation, its wisdom cannot be doubted. The inhibition and difficulties which are being experienced by the legislature and the executive in bringing into force the amended industrial law, more due to judicial interpretation of the definition of ‘industry' in Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board case, need to be removed. The experience of the working of the provisions of the Act would serve as a guide for a better and more comprehensive law on the subject to be brought into force without inhibition