JUDGMENT

Paripoornan, J-Delay condoned. Special leave granted.

2. The appellant is the Food Corporation of India Workers Union claiming to be a registered trade Union at Calcutta. The present proceedings are filed by its Secretary. The respondents are - (1) the Food Corporation of India, New Delhi and (2) The Presiding Officer, Central Government Industrial Tribunal at Calcutta. This appeal is filed assailing the award passed by the Central Government Industrial Tribunal (the 2nd respondent) dated 5.11.1993 in Reference No. 13 of 1977 and published by the Central Government on 5.3.1994.

3. We heard counsel. This litigation has a chequered history. This is the third round in this Court. The first respondent, the Food Corporation of India, is a statutory Corporation established for the purpose of trading in foodgrains and other food stuffs and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. It undertakes purchase, storage, movement, transport, distribution and sale of foodgrains and other food stuffs. The Corporation has set up its godowns/depots and other storage facilities. Labour is engaged at different stages in the various Depots for handling storage and transit of foodgrai