JUDGMENT 1. THIS is an appeal against the judgment of Sabyasachi mukharji, J., dated 25 August 1977, reported in 1978i L. L. N. 68, whereby the rule obtained by the appellant, the Calcutta electric Supply Corporation, Ltd., (hereinafter referred to as the company), on an application under Art. 226 of the Constitution was discharged, the facts giving rise to the proceeding, according to the company, are as follows: 2. THE company is carrying on the business of generation and distribution of electricity for reward and respondent 2, Amaresh roy, was a clerk in its revenue department. On 3 August 1976, the company dismissed roy for having misappropriated money belonging to the company. At the time of dismissal no conciliation proceeding under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, was pending between the company and its workmen before any Conciliation Officer. As a matter of abundant caution the company made an application before P. C. Sen, Conciliation officer and Joint Labour Commissioner, government of West Bengal, under S. 33 (2) (b)of the Industrial Disputes Act for approval of the said dismissal. It was stated in the application which is dated 3 August 1976, that the said workman was asked to show cause against the allegations of having illegally collected cash from the consumers of the company as specifically named against electric bills for about Rs. 28,000 and also for having misappropriated the same. The workman replied to the said show-cause notice which was found to be unsatisfactory and thereafter in accordance with its standing orders an enquiry committee was constituted. Enquiry was held on 25 June 1975, and the appellant was given opportunity to defend his case-After the conclusion of the enquiry the enquiry proceeding along with the findings of the enquiry committee were forwarded to the deputy Chief Commercial Officer who sent it again to the Chief Commercial Officer. The management considered the enquiry report and came to the conclusion that the workman was guilty of the charges proved against him and that he should be dismissed in absence of any extenuating circumstances. The company thereafter dismissed the workman concerned by order, dated 3 August 1976, and offered him one month's wages in terms of S. 33 (2) (b)of the Industrial Disputes Act. The company thereafter dismissed the workman concerned by order, dated 3 August 1976, and offered him one month's wages in terms of S. 33 (2) (b)of the Industrial Disputes Act. The company on the same day submitted an application to the Conciliation Officer and Joint Labour commissioner, Government of West Bengal, for approval of the action taken as it might be contended that certain industrial disputes between the company and its workmen were pending before him. It was accordingly prayed that the approval should be given to the action taken by the company dismissing the workman as stated above. This application came up before p. C. Sen, Conciliation Officer and Joint labour Commissioner, Government of west Bengal, respondent I, who, though he was also the Conciliation Officer, was not described as such in the company's application under Art. 226. P. C. Sen as the Conciliation Officer heard the parties and passed an order on 5 April 1977, on the said application. It was held that in regard to two disputes, namely "absence due to sickness arid "age verification" there was no industrial dispute pending before the Conciliation Officer. In regard to the charter of demands, which was item (3) of dispute, it appears the co-ordination committee of Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation unions submitted a charter of demands to the Joint Labour Commissioner, West bengal, on 17 April 1976, whereon the said officer issued a notice to the company and to the unions to attend tripartite meeting at the chamber of the Labour Minister at writers buildings on 26 April 1976, for discussion. After protracted discussion, a settlement was reached on 10 February 1977, in respect of some disputes and there was another tripartite settlement which was signed on 31 March 1977, in respect of some other disputes. The conciliation Officer further stated in his said order that a report under S. 12 (4) of the industrial Disputes Act was submitted by him, when, at one stage, prospect for the settlement seemed to be bleak. This report was filed in the month of November 1976 to the Labour Department, Government of West bengal. The conciliation Officer further stated in his said order that a report under S. 12 (4) of the industrial Disputes Act was submitted by him, when, at one stage, prospect for the settlement seemed to be bleak. This report was filed in the month of November 1976 to the Labour Department, Government of West bengal. It was held that the company dismissed the workmen from service on 3 August 1976, during the pendency of the conciliation proceeding in respect of certain dispute particularly on the charter of demands and, therefore, the company's contention in respect thereof was erroneous and provisions of s. 33 (2) (b) were attracted in this case. The order concluded with the following directions: "the undersigned as a Conciliation officer, therefore, deemed it fit to order that the company's preliminary objections regarding coverage under S. 33 (2) (6) of the Industrial Disputes Act are not tenable in law and in fact. The Calcutta Electric supply Corporation-management and the worker concerned are, therefore, requested to appear before the undersigned for the further hearing of the case on 22 April 1977, at 3. 30 p. m. " the petitioner moved this Court against this order- on 9 June 1977, and obtained a rule calling upon respondent 1, p. C. Sen, the Joint Labour Commissioner of the Government of West Bengal, the workman as also the State of west Bengal to show cause why a writ in the nature of certiorari should not be issued setting aside, cancelling or quashing the order, dated 5 April 1977, passed by respondent 1 and also why a writ in the nature of prohibition should not be issued commanding them not to proceed further in the said application or to exercise jurisdiction in any manner in respect thereof. There was, it appears, a stay of further proceeding in the meantime till the disposal of the rule. 3. CAUSE was shown by the workman stating that at the time of his dismissal there was a conciliation proceeding pending which terminated in the two settlements mentioned above. As the conciliation was pending the company made an application under S. 33 (2) (b)of the Industrial Disputes Act. 3. CAUSE was shown by the workman stating that at the time of his dismissal there was a conciliation proceeding pending which terminated in the two settlements mentioned above. As the conciliation was pending the company made an application under S. 33 (2) (b)of the Industrial Disputes Act. There was an affidavit in opposition affirmed by the said p. C. Sen, the Joint Labour Commissioner, respondent l,on 28 July 1977, in which it was stated that pursuant to the notice given on the charter of demands, dated 17 April 1976, reference was made to the tripartite level for fresh conciliation in accordance with the bipartite agreement, dated 28 June 1975. It was stated further therein as follows: ". . . The subsequent meetings and conferences before the Labour Minister, government of West Bengal, where in most cases the Conciliation Officer was present were a part of the conciliation proceedings by the Conciliation Officer. Section 12 (2)of the Industrial Disputes Act, provides that the Conciliation Officer may do all such things as he thinks fit for the purpose of inducing the parties to come to a fair and amicable settlement of the disputes. Meetings and conferences before the Labour minister, Government of West Bengal, do and did in the instant case form a part of my attempt to induce the parties to come a fair offer and amicable settlement of the dispute. " It was further stated that the conciliation proceedings were continuing and in the midst of such proceedings some restive workers took some form of action in the context of which a partial settlement of the charter of demands was reached on 10 February 1977, in course of conciliation proceedings and signed by the conciliation Officer and this was followed by another settlement on 31 March 1977. All these documents were signed by the deponent p. C. Sen as the Conciliation Officer with the full knowledge of the parties. It was further stated that the report under S. 12 (4) was submitted by the Conciliation Officer to the government of West Bengal on 11 November 1976, and the subsequent meetings of the labour Minister did not make it a bad report as alleged by the company. 4. It was further stated that the report under S. 12 (4) was submitted by the Conciliation Officer to the government of West Bengal on 11 November 1976, and the subsequent meetings of the labour Minister did not make it a bad report as alleged by the company. 4. THE company filed an affidavit in reply to the affidavit of the workman but it appears no affidavit in reply was filed to the affidavit in opposition of P. C. Sen, the Joint Labour commissioner. The learned Judge was of opinion that the dispute about the age verification was a subject-matter of the conciliation proceeding started on 2 June 1976, which was pending at the relevant date, i. e., date of dismissal of the workman on 3 August 1976. In regard to the charter of demands it was also clear that there were conferences initiated and attended by the conciliation Officer where the dispute was negotiated as indicated above which resulted in the settlements of the disputes as aforesaid. During the pendency of the disputes, the conciliation Officer in or about November 1976, made a report contemplated under s. 12 (4) of the Industrial Disputes Act. The court further held on consideration of the cases cited that the mere participation of the minister as such would not make any proceeding not a conciliation proceeding provided it is shown that the Conciliation Officer was "there to discharge his duties and his discretion to ensure fair settlement between the parties. " In this case there was evidence that proceedings so initiated ultimately led to settlements and there was no evidence that the Conciliation Officer did not retain his superintendence over the terms bargained by the parties. The court further held that the employer is entitled to seek, as a matter of caution, sanction or opinion of the appropriate authority as to whether any conciliation proceeding or industrial dispute was pending or not. In the view that was taken as indicated above, the application was dismissed and the rule was discharged, by order, dated 25 August 1977, and the present appeal, as already stated is against this decision. 5. AT the hearing it has been contended by Sri Dutta, learned Junior Standing Counsel that, of the three items of dispute, namely: (1) absence due to sickness ; (2) age verification; and (3) charter of demands ; item (1) of the disputes was not pending. 5. AT the hearing it has been contended by Sri Dutta, learned Junior Standing Counsel that, of the three items of dispute, namely: (1) absence due to sickness ; (2) age verification; and (3) charter of demands ; item (1) of the disputes was not pending. According to the company the said dispute related to the implementation of the relevant clauses of the standing orders of the company on which there could be no industrial dispute. As to the dispute in regard to the age verification Sri Dutta said that the matter in question was filed, prior to the material date and as such it could not be said that there was any conciliation proceeding pending thereon. The dispute, however, relates to item (3), the charter of demands, which was pending on the material date. 6. IT may be mentioned here that in respect of the charter of demands a memorandum of settlement was signed between the parties which provides the following terms: (a) the conciliation proceedings pending on the tripartite level on the joint charter of demands will be treated as concluded with the signing of the tripartite agreement on the 'leave travel concessions' as a part settlement of the charter; (b) the remaining issues of the charter of demands will be discussed at bipartite level with a view to reaching a settlement; and (c) the parties (i. e., company and any of the unions constituting the co-ordination committee) will be at liberty to refer the issue to tripartite level whenever any of them will desire to do so, when fresh conciliation will start in the matter. " This settlement was entered into on 38 June 1975, by and on behalf of the company and also the workmen's unions. 7. SRI Ginwalla, learned counsel appearing for the appellant-company, submitted that whatever conciliation proceeding was pending prior to 28 June 1975, was to be treated as concluded with the signing of the bipartite agreement on leave travel concessions as a part settlement of the charter of demands. The agreement on leave travel concessions was signed on the same date, i e., 28 June 1975. It was clear that the conciliation proceeding then pending on the charter of demands was to be treated as concluded as provided thereunder. The agreement on leave travel concessions was signed on the same date, i e., 28 June 1975. It was clear that the conciliation proceeding then pending on the charter of demands was to be treated as concluded as provided thereunder. This also finds support in the other clause of this settlement which says that the remaining issues would be discussed at the bipartite level and the parties would be at liberty to refer the issues remaining unsettled to the tripartite level whenever any of them would desire so when fresh conciliation would start in the matter. It is obvious, therefore, that on or about in 28 June 1975, the conciliation proceedings then pending came to an end. 8. IT is now to be considered whether there was any conciliation proceeding thereafter and was pending prior to the material date, i. e., 3 August 1976, and on this issue the parties are at variance. It appears that the coordination committee of the unions submitted a representation on 17 April 1976, addressed to P. C. Sen, as Joint Labour Commissioner alleging that though several meetings have been held with the management at bipartite level as well as before the Minister of Labour at tripartite level no settlement was reached due to the adamant attitude of the company. In accordance with C1. (c) of the settlement Of 28 June 1975, the unions referred the pending dispute for fresh conciliation. On this letter p. C. Sen, Joint Labour Commissioner, issued a notice on the company and the four unions of its workmen directing them to send their representatives " to attend tripartite meetings to be held in the chamber of the Labour Minister at writers Buildings on 26 June 1976, at 3 p. m. and the discussion if necessary, would be continued on 27 and 28 June as well. " It appears that in pursuance there of series of conferences were carried on wherein the company and the unions of its workmen duly participated. The Joint Labour commissioner, respondent 1, sent a report to the Government in November 1976, when the chances of settlement were bleak. It further appears that there was a strike by workmen which was settled by a tripartite agreement in writing, dated 10 February 1977, which, inter alia, provided for bilateral discussions for settlement of the charter of demands except on matters therein settled. It further appears that there was a strike by workmen which was settled by a tripartite agreement in writing, dated 10 February 1977, which, inter alia, provided for bilateral discussions for settlement of the charter of demands except on matters therein settled. The settlement further provided that the recommendations of the expert committee, dated 31 January 1977, set up by the Government in the meantime on 10 June 1976, on the computer would also be taken up for discussion by the parties. The company started operation of the computer on 1 March 1977, on the basis of its unilateral decision which was objected to by the workmen leading to agitation and thereafter there was a tripartite settlement in writing on 31 March 1977, on the charter of demands. 9. SRI Ginwalla, firstly contended that the initiation of the proceeding on 24 April 1976, was by P. C. Sen in his capacity as the Joint labour Commissioner as would be evidenced from the notice itself. So that the conference held on basis thereof could not be said to be conciliation proceedings at all, as the conciliation proceeding under the Industrial disputes Act has a special legal character and status, creating legal rights in favour of the workmen as also of the employer, The Junior standing Counsel referred to the following notification of the Government of West bengal in the Labour Department: "government of West Bengal, labour Department, calcutta. Notification No 3542-IR/1. R. /i2-L-54-67. In exercise of the power conferred by s. 4 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, 14 of 1947, the Government is pleased hereby to appoint the Joint Labour commissioner, West Bengal, to be a Conciliation Officer for the purposes of the said Act for the whole of West Bengal. (By order of the Governor)D. Chatterjee joint Secretary to the Government of West Bengal". It thus appears therefrom that the Joint labour Commissioner of the Government of west Bengal is also a Conciliation Officer under the Industrial Disputes Act and acts as such in the matter of settlement of labour disputes in the industry as a Conciliation Officer. His description, however, is not always accurate in that his capacity also as Conciliation Officer is not generally mentioned which, however, should be done as required in law. His description, however, is not always accurate in that his capacity also as Conciliation Officer is not generally mentioned which, however, should be done as required in law. Even so, as the parties have all through accepted and treated him as a Conciliation officer in their industrial disputes there is no question of any prejudice being caused to any parties. Even the company in its letter of 21 December 1976, made a representation to the Joint Labour Commissioner (annexure B to the petition) contending that application under S. 33 (2) (6) was not warranted regarding the dismissal of the concerned workman, though obviously the representation was intended for the Conciliation Officer. The petition of the company under Art. 226 of the constitution wherein the connected rule was issued as also the memorandum of appeal before us describes P. C. Sen only as the joint Labour Commissioner and not as the conciliation Officer. The appellant-company can, therefore, have no grievance on this point. 10. SRI Ginwalla next contended that the conferences held in the presence of the labour Minister ceased to have the character of the conciliation proceedings as the Conciliation Officer had or could have no control or superintendence over the discussions and negotiations between the company and the workmen in the presence of the minister. He referred to the decision ia nagercoil Electric Supply Corporation v. Industrial Tribunal, Trivandrum [A. I. R. 1953 Trav. Cochin 167], in which the Court held that an agreement come to between the employer and the workmen otherwise than in course of conciliation proceeding is not enforceable under the Industrial Disputes Act and cannot form the foundation of grant of an interim relief by the Tribunal. On the facts of the case, the Court was of opinion that the settlement arrived at between the employer and workmen in conference initiated by and in presence of the Chief Minister could not be said to be one arrived at a conciliation proceeding under the Act as there was nothing to show that the Assistant Labour Commissioner was then functioning as the Conciliation Officer. Again in Employees in caltex (India), Ltd. v. Commissioner of Labour and Conciliation Officer [a. I. R. 1959 Mad. Again in Employees in caltex (India), Ltd. v. Commissioner of Labour and Conciliation Officer [a. I. R. 1959 Mad. 441], it was held that the Minister is not a conciliation Officer and any settlement come to as a result of his good offices would not be a settlement arrived at in course of conciliation proceedings. These decisions have been strongly relied on by the appellant in support of its case that there were no conciliation proceedings as contemplated under the Act pending when the workman was dismissed from service. As contended by learned Junior Standing Counsel, it cannot be said and the decisions cited above do not also lay down the proposition that mere presence of the minister vitiates the conciliation proceeding. The presence of the Minister of the government for settlement of industrial disputes in conciliation proceeding between the employer and his workmen in public interest is only to be expected in fitness of things and it will be '' an untenable situation in law or otherwise if the good offices of the Minister for settlement of industrial disputes, instead of helping the negotiations, will nullify, impede or frustrate such settlement. As, however, the settlement before the Conciliation Officer has a binding force, the procedural requirement must be strictly complied with. The Conciliation officer accordingly, in such conferences, where the Minister is present to aid, advise and help the negotiations, must not abrogate his functions and duties but take such active part as required under Sub-sec. (2) of S. 12 of the Act, by way of investigation of dispute, examination of all matters involving right settlement of the dispute and doing all such things as he may think fit for inducing the parties to come to a fair settlement thereof. In the discharge of such functions and duties by the Conciliation Officer, the good offices of the Minister will be a substantial assistance but the ultimate control and superintendence in such proceedings as required under S. 2 (2)should always be with the Conciliation Officer. So that the mere presence of the Minister and his participation in the conciliation proceeding in aid of settlement, by themselves, will not vitiate the conciliation contemplated under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. 11. So that the mere presence of the Minister and his participation in the conciliation proceeding in aid of settlement, by themselves, will not vitiate the conciliation contemplated under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. 11. IT appears from record that P. C. Sen the Conciliation Officer has himself stated in his affidavit that meetings and conferences before the Labour Minister formed part of his attempt to induce the parties to come to a fair and amicable settlement of the dispute. The meetings before the Labour Minister were conciliation proceedings held following the letter of the unions, dated 17 April 1976, where the Conciliation Officer was mostly present, and it cannot be contended, as it appears to us, that his absence in some meetings would alter the character of the conciliation proceedings. It was denied that conciliation proceedings started in early February 1977, when the workmen resorted to demonstrations. The Conciliation Officer further denied that there was no proper report, dated 8 November 1976, under s. 12 (4) which, it has been said, was sent to the Government on 17 November 1976. There is no denial by the company to these averments made by the Conciliation Officer himself. 12. IT may be mentioned here that under s. 12 (1) the Conciliation Officer has to hold conciliation proceeding whenever an industrial dispute exists or is apprehended and such proceedings shall be deemed to be concluded, inter alia, when a report of the Conciliation officer is received by the Government under s. 12, Sub sec. (4). In this case conferences were held following notice of respondent 1, dated 24 April 1976, and the report of the conciliation Officer under S. 12 (4) was received by the Government on 17 November 1976. It further appears that Government on 10 June 1976, appointed an expert committee to make a report on the question of computer which submitted its report on 31 January 1977. On the question of linkage of the question of computer with the charter of demands, there was agitation by the workmen culminating in settlement of 10 February 1977, when certain claims were settled leaving discussions in future at bipartite level on the charter of demands and other disputes. On the question of linkage of the question of computer with the charter of demands, there was agitation by the workmen culminating in settlement of 10 February 1977, when certain claims were settled leaving discussions in future at bipartite level on the charter of demands and other disputes. The company unilaterally started the computer on 1 March 1977, and objection of the co-ordination committee of the unions led to a tripartite settlement cm 31 March 1977, of the charter of demands to be operative till 31 March 1979, subject to extension by mutual consent up to 31 March 1980. The facts noted above indicate that the conciliation on the charter of demands was pending either up to 17 November 1976, when the report under S. 12 (4) was received by the Government or up to 10 February and 31 March 1977, when settlement was arrived at the tripartite level. In any event there is no escape from the position that the conciliation proceeding was pending on 3 August1976, when the workman was dismissed from service. 13. THE Conciliation Officer fixed the case for further hearing on the basis of his finding that provisions of S. 33 (2) (b) are attracted in the instant case. It will be for the company now to justify the dismissal of the workman for misconduct on the principles fully set out in the decision in Delhi Cloth and General mills Company v. Ludh Budh Singh [a. I. R. 1972s. C. 1031], either on the domestic enquiry or on additional evidence as may be adduced by it Sri Ginwalla submitted that the Conciliation Officer under S. 11 (3) has no power of the Court under the Civil Procedure Code to enforce the attendance of any person or examining him on oath which will seriously prejudice the company's case. The conciliation Officer under Sub-sec. (4) of S. 12 has the same power to call for and compel production of documents. It is not possible for this Court to afford the company any further right to compel attendances of witnesses in absence of statutory provision, and for the said reason, it is not possible to dispense with statutory requirement of S. 33 (2) (b). 14. (4) of S. 12 has the same power to call for and compel production of documents. It is not possible for this Court to afford the company any further right to compel attendances of witnesses in absence of statutory provision, and for the said reason, it is not possible to dispense with statutory requirement of S. 33 (2) (b). 14. IT was contended by Sri Dutt on behalf of the workmen that the company having itself filed the application under S. 33 (2) (b), it cannot be heard to say that such application was unnecessary on ground that the conciliation proceeding was not pending at the material date. Sri Ginwalla referred to art. 213, Vol. II of Halsbury's Laws of england, 3rd Edn., which lays down that the fact that the party applying for prohibition has himself initiated the proceedings in the inferior Court is not material to the decision of the Court to grant or refuse the order. In tata Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. v. D. R. Singh [a. I. R. 1966 S C. 288], the Court held that the employer could make an application under S. 33 without prejudice to his right that S. 33 did not apply. In view of the above position, the company was entitled while filing the application for approval under S. 33 to urge before the Conciliation Officer in its application under S. 33 (2) (b) that no conciliation proceeding was pending at the material date and in consequence S. 33 (2) (b) was not attracted to the dismissal of the workman. In the view we have taken, the appeal fails and is dismissed. There will be no order for costs in the circumstances. All interim orders are vacated. 15. SANKAR Prasad Mitra, C. J. :i agree.