The Centre will plead before Supreme Court to dismiss petitions filed by newspaper managements challenging the recommendations of Justice Majithia Wageboard proposals for journalists and non-journalists, Union Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said today.
The government would seek the dismissal of petitions to ensure that the wageboard recommendations were implemented, he told a meet-the-press programme here.
The Labour Ministry was in constant touch with the Law Ministry for completion of the court proceedings as early as possible to facilitate implementation of the recommendations, Kharge said.
When journalists pointed out that the Law Ministry had not filed its replies before the Supreme Court, he said he would speak to Law Minister Ashwani Kumar.
“I am in touch with the Solicitor General. There is no Supreme Court stay on the final award. The state governments should also take initiative in ensuring that the wageboard awards are implemented early”, he said.
Kharge said barring a newspaper in Assam, none of the other dailies have shown interest in implementing the final award of the wageboard, notified by the government on November 11, 2011.