- (1.) A very short legal question arises for consideration in the present case. The petitioners are the employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (for short, 'Corporation'), erstwhile 'Punjab State Electricity Board' which is a body created under the Electricity Supply Act, 1948 (for short, 'Act'). Section 79 of the Act empowers the Corporation (erstwhile Board) to frame regulations, not inconsistent with the Act and the rules framed thereunder, which may provide for various matters as stipulated in the said section. Clause (c) thereof states that Regulations may cover the duties of officers and other employees of the Corporation, and their salaries, allowance and other conditions of service.
(2.) Relevant portion Section 79 of the Act reads as under:- "79. Power to make Regulations:- The Board, may, by notification in the official gazette, make Regulations not inconsistent with this Act and the Rules made thereunder to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- (a) xxx xxx xxx (b) xxx xxx xxx (c) the duties of officers and other employees of the Board, and their salaries, allowance and other conditions of service."
(3.) It is clear from the above that the Corporation is given power to make the regulations "by notification in the official gazette".;