IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

   CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

     CIVIL  APPEAL No.6172  OF  2008

                 [Arising out of SLP(C)No.622 of 2007]

   FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA                           ...   Appellant(s)                         Versus    FCT THOZILALI UNION (STU) & ORS. ...  Respondent(s)

O R D E R  

Delay condoned.

Leave granted.

Despite our order of 12th May, 2008, there is still  no one  present    on  

behalf   of   the respondent, Union, which is unrepresented.

We are informed by learned counsel  appearing for the Food Corporation  

of India that the concerned godowns of the Food Corporation of India have since  

been  notified  under  Section  10  of  the  Contract  Labour  (Regulation  and  

Abolition)Act,  1970.   Accordingly,   the  directions  which  had  been  given  by  the  

Employees' State Insurance Court, which were confirmed by the High Court will  

have to be set aside, on account of the fact that the Food Corporation of India has  

      -2-

its  own scheme for coverage of  employees as an alternative to the scheme of  the

E.S.I. Corporation.

Accordingly,  the  appeal  is  allowed  and  the  directions  given  by  the  

Employees' State Insurance Court are set aside, along with the directions of the High  

Court.

             ...................J.                                 (ALTAMAS KABIR)   

            ...................J.                         (MARKANDEY KATJU)           

New Delhi, October 20, 2008.