Judgment :

This order is in continuation to the all the previous orders passed by this Court, more particularly, the orders dated 18th January, 2011, 15th March, 2011, 25th April, 2011 and 28th November, 2011. Vide Order dated 15th March, 2011, this Court -dealt with Contempt Petition Nos.41 - 44 of 2011 filed by the petitioner and passed certain directions including that the Labour Secretary of the concerned States should be present in the Court on the next date of hearing. Thereafter, vide Order dated 25th April, 2011, the States of Nagaland, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa and Uttarakhand, Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Chandigarh and Union of India were required to comply with certain directions as well as to file affidavits of compliance.

The petitioner in Contempt Petition Nos. 41 -44 of 2011 had contended that most of the states have not complied with the directions issued by this Court. They had failed to discharge their statutory duties under the provisions of the Building & Other Construction Worker (Regulations of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 (for short, `the Act') and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 (for short `the Cess Act'), thus, they should be punished for violating the orders of this Court. However, after passing of the above orders, most of the states have filed affidavits, showing status of compliance with the directions issued by this Court as well as performance of their statutory duties.

In view of the persistent defaults and unacceptable conduct of the officers of the concerned states, we passed the following order on 28th November, 2011:-

"Since almost every State is in contempt, we have no option but to take further steps in the matter. However, in order to give opportunity to the States, the matter is being adjourned to the last week of December, 2011, to enable each defaulting State to file it's reply as to why contempt action should not be taken against the concerned officers."

Still, a few States have neither filed affidavits nor have they placed on record any documentation to demonstrate that they have fully complied with the directions of this Court and have completely discharged their statutory obligations under the provisions of the Act. Keeping in view the fact that, despite our order dated 28th November, 2011, these states have failed to show obedience to the orders of this Court, the matter was again placed before this Court on 16th December, 2011, on which date we had reserved the contempt petitions for orders.

Category - I -

Under Category-I, we will be dealing with the States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. All these states had filed their respective affidavits in the years 2010 and 2009 respectively. Thereafter, they have not even cared to file further affidavits as directed by the orders of this Court. Though, all the above States have constituted Welfare Boards, have registered workers and establishments in accordance with the provisions of the Act, notified the prescribed authorities for collection and disbursement of cess under the Cess Act and have collected some cess, however, they have not collected the required quantum of cess and have also not distributed the amount to the registered applicants in furtherance to implementation of the scheme framed.

The petitioner has also placed on record material to show that these states are defaulting in this regard. Before we take any action against the officers responsible for enforcing the schemes and proper collection and disbursement of cess, we would grant a last and final opportunity to these states to file affidavits of compliance within four weeks from today, subject to payment of Rs.10,000/-each, as costs. The cost shall be payable to the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.

Category - II

Under Category-II, we would pass directions in relation to the states which have constituted Welfare Boards, notified the statutory authorit