(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where the Central Government is of opinion that the Board constituted under section 13C for the purpose of fixing or revising rates of wages in respect of non-journalist newspaper employees under this Act has not been able to function (for any reason whatsoever) effectively, and in the circumstances, it is necessary so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Tribunal, which shall consist of a person who is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court or the Supreme Court, for the purpose of fixing or revising rates of wages in respect of non-journalist newspaper employees under this Act.
(2) The provisions of sections 10 to 13A shall apply to, and in relation to, the Tribunal constituted under sub-section (1) of this section, the Central Government and non-journalist newspaper employees, subject to the modifications that—
(a) the references to the Board and working journalists therein, wherever they occur, shall be construed respectively as references to the Tribunal and to non-journalist newspaper employees;
(b) in sub-section (3) of section 11,—
(i) the reference to the office of Chairman or any other member of the Board shall be construed as a reference to the office of the person constituting the Tribunal; and
(ii) the reference to section 9 shall be construed as a reference to sub-section (1) of this section; and
(c) the references in section 13 and section 13A to section 12 shall be construed as references to section 12 read with this section.
(3) The Tribunal, in discharging its functions under this Act, may act on the evidence recorded by the Wage Board or partly recorded by the Wage Board and partly recorded by itself:
Provided that if the Tribunal is of opinion that further examination of any of the witnesses whose evidence has already been recorded is necessary in the interests of justice, it may re-summon any such
1. Subs. by Act 34 of 1996, s. 3, for “two persons” (w.e.f. 28-9-1996).
2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “three independent persons” (w.e.f. 28-9-1996).
3. Ins. by Act 6 of 1979, s. 4 (w.e.f. 31-1-1979).
11 witness, and after such further examination, cross-examination and re-examination, if any, as it may permit, the witness shall be discharged.
(4) On the constitution of a Tribunal under sub-section (1), the Board constituted under section 13C and functioning immediately before such constitution shall cease to exist and the members constituting that Board shall be deemed to have vacated their offices:
Provided that any interim rates of wages fixed by the Central Government under section 13A read with section 13D in respect of non-journalist newspaper employees and in force immediately before the constitution of the Tribunal shall remain in force until the order of the Central Government under section 12 read with this section comes into operation.]
CHAPTER III APPLICATION OF CERTAIN ACTS TO NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEES