Growth and Development of Industrial Jurisprudence in India

Abstract

The term industry has always been a very controversial point in the area of industrial jurisprudence. However, there have been some judgments in a string of cases, which have tried to resolve the dispute and lay down an adequate definition whenever question arose. Later it has been realized that these definitions have created huge confusion. To pacify the situation the definition of industry under section 2(j) of the IDA was considered by the Supreme Court in the land mark judgment of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Vs A.Rajjapa and Ors 1 , wherein the court laid down the broad interpretation of the term industry. This judgment holds importance because it was for the first time that a comparatively clear definition of the term was given. The phrases labour laws' and 'industrial laws' are used synonymously and refer to those laws and legal rules which regulate the employer-employee relations. Some of these laws impose certain obligations or confer certain rights upon the employers or the employees so that in the ultimate analysis they can be deemed to impinge upon employer-employee relations.