The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has announced on December 11, 2024, that it has extended the declaration of the Nuclear Fuel and Components, Heavy Water and Allied Chemicals, and Atomic Energy Industry as a Public Utility Service under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The extension will remain in effect for a period of six months, beginning from December 28, 2024.
Key Details of the Notification:
- Industry Declared as Public Utility Service: The Central Government has declared the services of industrial establishments engaged in manufacturing or producing Nuclear Fuel and Components, Heavy Water and Allied Chemicals, and Atomic Energy as a public utility service under Item 28 of the First Schedule of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
- Extension of Status: This declaration extends the previous notification issued in June 2024, which classified the industry as a public utility service. The new declaration will be in force for another six months, starting December 28, 2024.
- Public Interest: The declaration aims to ensure the continued operation of critical industries involved in nuclear fuel, energy production, and chemical manufacturing, which are crucial for national security and energy needs.
Legal Framework:
- The extension is made under the proviso to sub-clause (vi) of clause (n) of section 2 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, allowing the government to designate key sectors as public utility services to prevent industrial disputes and strikes that could affect essential services.
- The decision reaffirms the public interest in maintaining the uninterrupted functioning of industries critical to the nation’s energy and defense sectors.
Impact:
- Ensuring Stability: By designating this sector as a public utility service, the government ensures that disruptions in these critical industries, such as strikes or work stoppages, are minimized. This is particularly important given the vital role of nuclear and atomic energy production in the country’s energy security.
- Securing National Interests: The extension highlights the importance of the Nuclear Fuel and Atomic Energy industry in maintaining the nation’s energy independence and strategic security.
This move by the Ministry of Labour and Employment underscores the importance of key industries involved in energy and defense, ensuring they operate without disruptions that could adversely affect public interest.
