A change in the constitution of a partnership firm or its dissolution to convert it into a sole proprietorship does not constitute a transfer of undertaking within the meaning of Section 25f or 25ff of the Industrial Disputes Act, and does not bar compensation for retrenchment.

( 1 ) THIS is an application by Dinesh Vrajlall described as the proprietor to Alex. A. Apcar (Junior) and Co. under Article 226 of the Constitution for a writ of certiorari challenging the decision of the Fourth Industrial Tribunal dated 1-6-1957. The point before the Industrial Tribunal was :"is the discharge of Sri Ram Sundar Mitra justified? To what relief is he entitled? The Industrial Tribunal came to the conclusion that the employee was discharged without notice with effect from May 24, 1956 and that such discharge amounted to retrenchment for which the discharged employee was entitled to compensation at the statutory rate. He, therefore, allowed him compensation under Section 25f of the Industrial Disputes Act by ordering (1) one month's notice pay at the rate last drawn; (2) four months' pay i. e. 15 days' average pay for each completed year of service; and (3) admitted dues on account of unpaid salary according to the Company's written statement, i. e. Rs. 47/10/6 pies. "

( 2 ) ON behalf of the petitioner, this award is challenged on the ground that the period of service taken from 1947 has not been correct. The petitioner joined the business of Alex. A. Apcar (Junior) and Co. in 1951. He was, therefore, not liable for the workman's service in that Company from 1947. The petitioner's argument is based on change of ownership. This business was formerly a partnership business. The petitioner joined as a partner in 1951. Then later on by deed of dissolution, he has become the sole proprietor. I am unable to accept the petitioner's contention that there has been a "transfer" within the meaning of Section 25f or 25ff of the Industrial Disputes Act. A change of partnership by inclusion or retirement of partner, although legally changes the constitution of the firm, does not mean a change of business or employer within the meaning of these two sections of the Industrial Disputes Act; In this particular case, the business was the business of Alex. A. Apcar Junior and Co. The deed of partnership dated 3-3-1955, describes that this business of Alex. A. Apcar (Jurnior) and Co. was continuing from before. The deed of dissolution dated 6-3-1956 between the present petitioner Dinesh Vrajlall and Abraham Frederick Cohen in its very first clause shows : "the said business shall henceforth be carried on by the said Dinesh Vrajlall alone". It is plain, therefore, that the business was being continued in the same name and for the same purpose and with the same object. The Tribunal has noticed this fact and has further noticed the fact that even under this deed of dissolution, the petitioner has undertaken to pay all the dues and liabilities of Shri Cohen in the business. The Tribunal also has found as a fact that this has nothing to do with the present dispute. The Tribunal relied on a material evidence which was a certificate marked Ex. A which shows that the respondent workman was with this business since 1947 I am, therefore, not satisfied that there has been any transfer of business in the sense to attract the operation of Section 25ff.

( 3 ) IT was contended that on a reading of Section 25f, the "continuous service" mentioned there was to be not less than one year under a single employer. It was, therefore, argued that as the employer was changed by the constitution, re-constitution and dissolution of the Firm, converting it to a sole proprietorship business, therefore, this section operated as a bar for awarding any retrenchment compensation to the present workman under that section. Now, the words, "an employer", do not, in my opinion, mean change of partnership as meaning change of employer within the meaning of this section. Partners are proprietors of A Firm and the words "partnership" or ''firm" are only a compendious and comprehensive name for the plurality of the proprietors with certain legal incidents attached to it by the Partnership Act. When therefore these plural proprietors become a single propr