Confused About Maharashtra Minimum Wages? Why Two Authorities Handle Revisions?

I need to revise wages as per Maharashtra Minimum Wages, but the Basic notification is from "Udhyog, Urja & Kamgar Vibhaag" and the VDA notification is from "Kamgar Aayukt Yaanche Kaaryale." Why are there two different authorities for revision in the components of Minimum Wages? Is this a standard practice or some modification? Please clarify.

Dear Maninder Kaur Sandhu, Half-yearly Dearness Allowance (Jan-Jun & July-Dec) is published by the Office of the Labour Commissioner, along with revisions in the Minimum Wages Notification from the Industries, Energy & Labour Department (generally once every five years). I am attaching the English version of the Minimum Wages for the period 01.07.2020-31.12.2020 for your reference for all Scheduled Employments.

Regards, sna

Dear Maninder-Kaur-Sandhu ji, here is the answer to your query. Please refer to section 3 of the MW Act 1948, which deals with fixing the minimum wage rate. Under this section, the Appropriate Government is empowered to fix the minimum wage rate and review the same at intervals. In your case, the Appropriate Government is the Maharashtra Government - "Udhyog, Urja & Kamgar Vibhaag."

Please also refer to section 4(2) of the Act. According to this section, the cost of living allowance and the cash value of the concessions in respect of supplies of essential commodities at concessional rates (i.e., special allowance in Maharashtra) shall be computed by the competent authority at such intervals and in accordance with such directions as may be specified or given by the appropriate Government. The competent authority in this case is the Kamgar Aayukt, and therefore, their office declares the special allowance.

Hope you got the answer to your query.

Minimum wages

The authority is a government body. For special allowances, the authority is the same government body; however, the power is delegated to the competent authority, which is Kamgaar Ayukt.