JUDGMENT - 1. This is a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution whereby the Petitioners claim a writ of mandamus and/or directions that the 1st Respondent, being the Conciliation Officer appointed by the State of Maharashtra; (the 2nd Respondent) do forbear and/or abstain from proceeding with the conciliation of industrial disputes between the Mazagaon Dock Limited being the 4th Respondent and its workmen regarding increase in wages, dearness allowance, leave paid holidays, etc.

2. The only contention which has been advanced before me in support of this petition is that the Mazagaon Dock Limited, the 4th Respondent, is an industry "carried on by or under the authority of the Central Government" and that accordingly the appropriate Conciliation Officers to consider any industrial disputes arising between the Mazagaon Dock Limited and its workmen are the Conciliation Officers appointed by the Central Government. For this reason it is argued that the 1st Respondent being the Conciliation Officer appointed by the State of Maharashtra, has no jurisdiction to act as Conciliation Officer in respect of disputes which have arisen between the Mazagaon Dock Limited and its workmen.

3. Th

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