JUDGMENT :

D.Y. Chandrachud, J.—Rule, returnable forthwith. Counsel for the Respondents waives service. By consent taken up for hearing and final disposal.

2. This Petition is directed against an order dated June 5, 2003 passed by the Industrial Tribunal holding that the reference for adjudication u/s 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 was not maintainable on the ground that the First Respondent is not an industry within the meaning of Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The First Respondent is an organisation called the Board of Apprenticeship Training, Western Region, Mumbai. The First Respondent is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department'. of Education, Government of India and is registered under the provisions of the Societies Registration Act, I860. Under the Memorandum of Association, the main object of the First Respondent is to organize" practical training for graduates and diploma holders in engineering and technology in order to equip them with practical experience for gainful employment. The Board is also conferred with the function of implementing the provisions of the Apprenticeship Act, 1961 in so far as they