Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
25-O. Procedure for closing down an
undertaking
(1) An employer who intends to close down an undertaking of an
industrial establishment to which this Chapter applies shall, in the prescribed
manner, apply, for prior permission at least ninety days before the date on
which the intended closure is to become effective, to the appropriate
government, stating clearly the reasons for the intended closure of the
undertaking and a copy of such application shall also be served simultaneously
on the representatives of the workmen in the prescribed manner:
PROVIDED that nothing in this sub-section shall apply
to an undertaking set up for the construction of buildings, bridges, roads,
canals, dams or for other construction work.
(2) Where an application for permission has been made under
sub-section(l),the appropriate government, after making such enquiry as it
thinks fit and after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the
employer, the workmen and the persons interested in such closure may, having
regards to the, genuineness and adequacy of the reasons stated by the employer,
the interests of the general public and all other relevant factors, by order.
and for reasons to be recorded in writing, grant or refuse to grant such
permission and a copy of such order shall be communicated to the employer and
the workmen.
(3) Where an application has been made under sub-section (1) and
the appropriate government does not communicate the order granting or refusing
to grant permission to the employer within a period of sixty days from the date
on which such application is made, the permission applied for shall be deemed
to have been granted on the expiration of the said period of sixty days.
(4) An order of the appropriate government granting or refusing
to grant permission shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (5), be
final and binding on all the parties and shall remain in force for one year
from the date of such order.
(5) The appropriate government may, either on its own motion or
on the application made by the employer or any workman, review its order
granting or refusing to grant permission under sub-section (2) or refer the
matter to a Tribunal for adjudication:
PROVIDED that where a reference has been made to a
Tribunal under this sub-section , it shall pass an award within a period of
thirty days from the date of such reference.
(6) Where no application for permission under sub-section (l) is
made within the period specified therein, or where the permission for closure
has been refused, the closure of the undertaking shall be deemed to be illegal
from the date of closure and the workmen shall be entitled to all the benefits
under any law for the time being in force as if the undertaking had not been
closed down.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing
provisions of this section, the appropriate government may, if it is satisfied
that owing to such exceptional circumstances as accident in the undertaking or
death of the employer or the like it is necessary so to do, by order, direct
that the provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply in relation to such
undertaking for such period as may be specified in the order.
(8) Where an undertaking is permitted to be closed down under
sub-section (2) or where permission for closure is deemed to be granted under
sub-section (3), every workman who is employed in that undertaking immediately
before the date of application for permission under this section, shall be
entitled to receive compensation which shall be equivalent to fifteen days’
average pay for every completed year of continuous service or any part thereof
in excess of six months.]