JUDGMENT :

The issue highlighted in this writ petition is regarding the failure of respondents 3 and 4 to comply with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958('MSA' for short) and to act in terms of the agreement executed between Indian National Ship Owners' Association(INSA) and Maritime Union of India (MUI) regarding the wages and other service conditions of seamen. According to the petitioners, the issue ought to be considered by the Tribunal constituted under Section 150 of the Merchant Shipping Act. As the demand in this regard was not acted upon, the petitioners approached this court in W.P.(C) No.15193/2019. That writ petition was disposed of under Ext.P10 judgment with the following directions;

“Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, especially the provision contained in Section 150 of the Merchant Shipping Act, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition directing the Central Government to take a decision on Ext.P9 representation, within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Ordered accordingly.”

2. In purported compliance of that direction, the first respondent considered the representation and issued Ext.P11