(1) Where the State Government refers any industrial dispute for adjudication to a Labour Court or Tribunal within two weeks of the date or receipt of the order, of reference, the party, representing workmen or the case of individual workman, the workman himself and the employer. involved in the dispute shall file with the Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, a statement of the demands relating only to the issues as are included in the order of reference and shall also forward a copy of such statement to each one of the opposite parties involved in the said dispute.
Provided that where the Labour Court or Tribunal, as, the case may be, considers it necessary, it may- (a) extend the time limit for filing of such statement;
or
(b) reduce the time limit for filing such statement to one week in emergent cases for reasons to be recorded in writing: or
(c) where both the parties agree, reduce the time limit for filing of such statement as per agreement; or
(d) where both the parties agree, dispense with the requirement of filing such statement altogether.
(2). Within two weeks of the receipt of the statement! referred to in sub-rule(1), the opposite party shall file its: rejoinder with the Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, and simultaneously forward a copy thereof to the other party..
Provided that such rejoinder shall relate only to such of the issues as are included in the order of reference. Provided further that where the Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, consider it necessary, it may
(a) extend time limit for filing such rejoinder or
(b) reduce the time limit for filing such rejoinder to one week in emergent cases for reasons to be recorded in writing; or ~ 5 ~
(c) where both the parties agree, reduce the time limit for filing such rejoinder as per agreement; or
(d) where both the parties agree; dispense with the requirement of filing such rejoinder altogether.
(3) The Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be. shall ordinarily fix the date for the first hearing of the dispute within six weeks of the date from which it was referred for adjudication.
Provided that the Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, may, for reasons to be recorded in writing. fix a later date for the first hearing of the dispute..
(4) The hearing shall ordinarily be continued from day today and argument shall follow immediately after the closing of the evidence.
(5) The Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, shall not ordinarily grant an adjournment for a period exceeding a week at a time, but not more than three adjournments in all at the instance of any one of the parties to the dispute:
Provided that the Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, for reasons to be recorded in writing, grant an adjournment exceeding a week or more than three adjournments at the instance of any one of the parties to the dispute.
(6) The Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, shall, as the examination of each witness proceeds, make at memorandum of the substance of what he deposes, and the memorandum shall be written and signed by the presiding officer:
Provided that the Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, may follow the procedure laid down in Rule 5 of Order XVIII of the code of Civil Procedure, 1908, if it considers necessary so to do, in view of the nature of the particular industrial dispute pending before it.
14. Holding of a Meeting of Representatives of both parties:
The Conciliation Officer may hold a meeting of the representatives of both parties jointly or of each party separately at such places and at such time as he may deem fit.
15. Expedient Conduct of Conciliation Proceedings:
The Conciliation Officer shall conduct the proceedings. expeditiously and in such manner as he may deem fit.