- (1.) We are glad to note that the Government of Rajasthan has pursuant to the recommendation of the Committee constituted under the Minimum Wages Act has fixed the rates of minimum wages for workers employed in the Famine Relief work. The State Govt. will naturally pay to the workers the rates of minimum wages under this Notification with effect from 16th October, 1986, that being the date when the Notification was issued by the State Govt. We expressed the hope in our earlier Orders that the Central Govt. will provide necessary assistance to the State Govt. since the minimum wages required to be paid to workers are by way of famine relief operations. Since the acceptance of the recommendations of the Committee constituted for fixing the rates of minimum wages and the implementation of the, Notification will involve a burden of Rs. 20 crores, the Central Govt. may consider the question of providing assistance to the State Govt. at an early date, particularly when it is meant for famine relief operations. We expected the Central Govt. would at the earliest enable the State Government to see that these workers get the minimum wages. But we are informed by Dr. Singhvi, Advocate appearing on behalf of State Govt. that the Central Govt. does not appear to have taken a decision in this regard, and no grant has been made for meeting the expenses.
(2.) We are glad to find that the State Government has accepted the suggestion made in paragraph 5 of the Report of the Committee constituted for fixing the minimum wages, except in regard to the provision of tools and plants which is under consideration of the State Government. We are happy that this public interest litigation has provided relief to a large number of needy poor persons and we also note with our sense of satisfaction as to the manner in which the State Govt. has responded to this litigation.
(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner states that they want some time to. take instructions from the petitioners. Hence we adjourn the matter for two weeks.;