SC notice to government on wage board for scribes

New Delhi, May 15: The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Union Government on a petition challenging the recommendations of Majithia Wage Board for journalists and non-journalists, without granting any injunction.

A petition filed by ABP (Anand Bazar Patrika) Pvt Ltd, publishers of prominent English and Bengali dailies, had sought a declaration that the Wage Board Award and its recommendations submitted to the government in December last be declared as arbitrary and illegal.

The petitioner urged the apex court to declare constitution of the Wage Board as ultra vires and grant an injunction restraining the Union of India and others from giving any effect to the Award and recommendations made therein.

However, the apex court issued notice to the Union Government after it was informed that the government has not come out with the notification for implementation of the recommendations.

A bench comprising justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma gave liberty to ABP Pvt Ltd, which has filed the petition, to approach the vacation court if the government comes out with the notification on the recommendations of the Justice G R Majithia Wage Board.

The ABP has named the Indian Federation of Working Journalists, the National Union of Journalists, the Indian Journalists Union, the All India Newspaper Employees Federation, the National Federation of Newspaper Employees as respondents.

PTI