A. Muhamed Mustaque, J. - (1.)Petitioners are the office bearers of South Indian Bank Employee's Association. As seen from the pleadings, this association was initially registered in 1952 with the Additional Registrar of Trade Unions, Chennai. It appears from Ext.P1 that this was cancelled on 31.03.1989. According to the petitioners, they came to know about the cancellation only in the year 2010. On coming to know, they applied for registration of the association before the 4th respondent, Deputy Registrar of Trade Unions & District Labour Officer, Thrissur. However, the 4th respondent returned the application, stating that the Central Government is the concerned authority for registration of a trade union having working area all over India. It is challenging this, the petitioners have come up before this Court.
(2.)In the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the Registrar of Trade Unions, Thiruvananthapuram, it is contended that the petitioners have suppressed the fact that they had once got registered in another State and the same got cancelled. It is also contended that the trade union can be registered in the State, only if its operation is confined to the State.
(3.)In the statement filed on behalf of the Central Government, it is stated that there is no authority appointed by the Central Government, holding the designation of "Central Registrar of Trade Unions" under the Central Government and the matter relating to trade unions has to be considered by the State authorities.