The Bombay High Court ruled that the Tata Memorial Hospital is an autonomous body controlled by the Central Government, as such the hospital is fully funded and administered by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

The Bombay High Court ruled that the Tata Memorial Hospital is an autonomous body controlled by the Central Government. The court's decision was based on evidence that the hospital is fully funded and administered by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and the court dismissed challenges filed by the hospital, which argued that it was an independent entity not subject to the authority of the Central Government.

In the light of challenges raised by the Petitioner to the Judgment and Order dated 12 February 2022 passed by the Industrial Court, Mumbai allowing the Revision filed by the Tata Memorial Hospital Workers Union. The Industrial Court had rejected the Petitioner-hospital's objection and held that the appropriate government is the Central Government, and the complaints are maintainable.

Background:
The dispute arose over the issue of which government had jurisdiction over labor disputes involving the Tata Memorial Hospital. The hospital claimed that the appropriate government was the State Government, while the Workers' Union argued that it was the Central Government.
The contention of the Tata Memorial hospital was that the appropriate government for the Petitioner-hospital is the State Government and not the Central Government, and that the complaints filed by the Workers Union were not maintainable. The hospital argued that it was not an industry carried out by or under the Central Government, and that it was not an autonomous body owned or controlled by the Central Government.
In the light of challenges raised by the Petitioner to the Judgment and Order dated 12 February 2022 passed by the Industrial Court, Mumbai allowing the Revision filed by the Tata Memorial Hospital Workers Union. The Industrial Court had rejected the Petitioner-hospital's objection and held that the appropriate government is the Central Government, and the complaints are maintainable, and the case was brought before the Bombay High Court for a determination on this issue.

Evidence and Arguments Presented: The Central Government presented evidence that it fully funds and controls the Tata Memorial Hospital. This evidence included testimony from a DAE official and various documents showing the hospital's dependence on the Central Government. The hospital argued that it had its own source of revenue and made its own decisions on personnel matters. However, the court found that the hospital's autonomy was limited and that the Central Government exercised significant control over its operations.

Court's Decision: The court ruled in favor of the Central Government, holding that the Tata Memorial Hospital is an autonomous body owned and controlled by the Central Government. The court found that the hospital is fully funded and administered by the DAE, and that its accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Implications: The court's decision means that labor disputes involving the Tata Memorial Hospital will now be handled by the Central Government.
Tata Memorial Hospital Vs Workers Union Tata Memorial Hospital
Coram: Justice SANDEEP V. MARNE
Dated: 20-03-2024