Judgment

KULDIP SINGH, J.:- Special leave granted.

2. The question for our consideration in these appeals is whether arrears of wages, as a result of wage-increase-award under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (The Act), would come within the definition of "basic wages" under Section 2(b) of the Provident Fundand Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (The Fund Act).

3. A dispute regarding wages and other conditions of service arose between the Rajasthan State Electricity Board (The Board) and its workmen. The parties arrived at a settlement as a result of which the dispute was referred to the arbitrators under the Act. The arbitrators entered upon the reference and gave an award dated May 20, 1985., The relevant part of the award is reproduced as under:-

"The matters in dispute (terms of reference) are as under:-

(1) Wages increase:

a) What should be the Minimum Wages for regular unskilled workmen of Rajasthan State Electricity Board in Pay Scales No. 1 with effect from April 1, 1980?

b) What should be the wage structure of different categories of workmen of Rajasthan State Electricity Board covered under pay scales Nos. 1 to 6 with effect from April 1, 1980?

Decisions on matters in dispute (