Road Transport Corporation Workers Union v. APSRTC, Hyderabad
2000-08-11
D.S.R.VERMA
body2000
DigiLaw.ai
D. S. R. VARMA, J. ( 1 ) HEARD both the Counsel. With their consent, the writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. ( 2 ) THE writ petition is filed for a Writ of mandamus directing the respondent to issue day-to-day circulars on payment of usual charges and also to provide the bus pass warrant to the petitioner on par with other trade unions. ( 3 ) ADMITTEDLY the petitioner s union is a registered union. Therefore, the General secretary of the petitioners union in my considered opinion is entitled for day-today circulars issued by the respondent-Corporation on payment of usual charges. Moreover the circulars issued by the corporation are public documents and every citizen, particularly the leader of a trade union has a right of access to those documents. It is contended by the learned counsel for the Corporation that the petitioners union is a minority union and hence it is not entitled for the said circulars. This contention cannot be accepted for the reason that no discrimination can be shown between one trade union and other, particularly when the petitioners union is a registered trade union representing a section of employees. Therefore, the respondents shall issue day-to-day circulars to the General Secretary of the petitioners union on payment of usual charges. ( 4 ) WITH regard to the second prayer of issuance of bus pass warrants on par with other trade unions, no material is placed on record regarding the entitlement of bus pass warrants, to trade union leaders. But if the other trade union leaders are being provided with bus pass warrants, there is no point in, discriminating the General secretary of the petitioners union from issuing such warrant. Therefore, the respondent-Corporation shall issue bus pass warrant to the General Secretary of the petitioners union if the circulars permit them to do so. ( 5 ) THE writ petition is accordingly allowed. No costs.