ORDER

1. The petitioner-State in the instant petition calls in question the order dated 23.7.2020 (Annexure P-2) in Gratuity Appeal No.26/2020 passed by the appellate authority under the provisions of Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (for short "Act of 1972).

2. The case of the petitioner is that the respondent-employee filed an application under section 7 of the Act of 1972 claiming certain payment of gratuity. The petitioner- employer was proceeded ex-parte before the Labour Court and, thereafter, an order dated 7.1.2020 was passed directing the petitioner-employer to make payment of Rs.2,65,527/- as gratuity and interest of Rs.59,744/-.

3. The petitioner-employer filed an appeal under section 7(7) of the Act of 1972 before the appellate authority. When the matter was taken-up for hearing on 23.7.2020, it was found that as per the mandate of the second proviso of sub-section (7) of section 7 of the Act of 1972, the employer did not produce the certificate of the Controlling Authority to the effect that the employer has deposited the amount with the Controlling Authority equal to the amount of gratuity required to be deposited under sub-section (7) of section 7 of the Act of 1972 and,