Judgment

VAIDIALINGAM, J.:- This appeal, by special leave, is directed against the Award dated October 26, 1967 of the National Industrial Tribunal, Calcutta in Reference No. NIT-3 of 1967, holding that for the accounting year 1965-66, the quantum of bonus payable by the appellant to its workmen is 20 per cent of the effective salaries or wages with a further direction to set on a sum of Rs.1,46,252/-.

2. The appellant, India Cable Company Ltd. (hereinafter to be referred as the Company) occupies a very prominent position in the Cable Industry of India having its Head Office at Calcutta and its factory at Jamshedpur. It has branches in Bombay, Madras, New Delhi, Kanpur, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. In addition to insulated cables, the Company manufactures aluminium rods, radio aerials, fuse wires and other products. Its paid-up capital is rupees 2,48,65,450. It employed workmen numbering over 5,000. The gross effective salaries and wages of its employees for the relevant accounting year amoutns to Rs.1,05,32,880. Its accounting year is from 1st April to 31st March of the succeeding year.

3. For the accounting year 1964-65 the Company declared and paid bonus at 20 per cent to all employees