(1)1[Subject to such rules as may be prescribed, a single application ] may be presented under section 20 on behalf or in respect of any number of employees employed in the scheduled employment in respect of which minimum rates of wages have been fixed and in such cases the maximum compensation which may be a awarded under sub- section (3) of section 20 shall not exceed ten times the aggregate amount of such excess2[or ten rupees per head, as the case may be].
(2) The Authority may deal with any number of separate pending applications presented, under section 20 in respect of employees in the scheduled employments in respect of which minimum rates of wages have been fixed, as a single application presented under sub- section (1) of this section and the provisions of that sub- section shall apply accordingly.
STATE AMENDMENTS
Gujarat--After section 21, insert the following section, namely:--
''21A. Liability for payment of court fee.--
(1) In any proceedings under section 10, the applicant shall not be liable to pay any court-fees (other than fees payable for service of process) in respect of such proceedings:
Provided that, when the application is presented by an Inspector, he shall not be liable to pay the process fees also.
(2) Where the applicant succeeds in such proceedings, the authority hearing the application shall calculate the amount of court fees which would have been payable by the applicant but for sub-section (1), and direct the employer or other person responsible for the payment of wages under section 12 to pay the amount to the State Government. The amount shall, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery; be recoverable as an arrear of land revenue-" [Vide Gujarat Act 23 of 1961, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 18-5-1961)]
Maharashtra--Same as in Gujarat. [Vide Maharashtra Act 10 of 1961, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 15-2-1961)]
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1. Substituted by Act 30 of 1957, section 13, for 'A Single application' w.e.f. 17-9-1957.
2. Inserted by Act 30 of 1957, section 13 w.e.f. 17-9-1957.