In the following question, a Statement is followed by two Conclusions, I and II.
Statement: Section 5 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 gives a detailed procedure for fixing or revising minimum wages in respect of any scheduled employment. After considering the advice of the committees appointed, and all representations received by it before the date notified in the Gazette notification, the appropriate Government may by notification in the official gazette, fix or revise the minimum rates of wages.
Conclusion I: If a date is specified in the notification, the minimum rates shall come into force from such date.
Conclusion II: If no date is specified, then they shall come into force from the expiry of three months from the date of issue of the notification.
In the context of the above Statement and Conclusions, which one of the following is correct?
- ABoth Conclusions I and II follow
- BOnly Conclusion I follows
- COnly Conclusion II follows
- DNeither Conclusion I nor II follows
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
According to Section 5(2) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the notifications fixing or revising minimum wages shall come into force on the expiry of three months from the date of its issue, unless the notification otherwise provides a specific date. Therefore, if a date is specified, it comes into force from that date (Conclusion I follows); and if no date is specified, it comes into force on the expiry of three months (Conclusion II follows). Hence, both Conclusions I and II follow from the statutory legal position.