FCI WORKERS UNION, WGC ROAD, OPPOSITE TO TALUK OFFICE, TUTICORIN AND ANOTHER Vs. FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

(2.) Food Corporation of India is a Public Sector Undertaking coming under the control of Government of India. It is engaged in the procurement, storage and distribution of food grains under public distribution system. In order to store the food grains FCI either owns or hires large warehouses throughout India. Therefore, that it is also a warehousing establishment cannot really admit of any doubt.

(3.) The Corporation employs a large body of labour who fall under various categories. The regular employees are called departmental labour. The appellants represent another category known as DPS workers (Direct Payment System). The Corporation had formerly engaged contract labour. The same was abolished and the system of direct payment by employer was introduced. When the management attempted to re-introduced contract labour system, the same was frowned upon by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the decision reported in (1985) 2 SCC 136 (Workmen v. Food Corporation of India) . There is also other categories such as "No work No pay" employees and casual labour.