Ramkailash Saroj and Narpatsinh Solanki of the VKU told Express Newsline on Monday that the Department could not come into picture since the matter was already being heard in court.

The VKU had moved the Industrial Tribunal challenging the company's decision to deduct Rs 500 from each worker's salary for not working on Bhai Beej. After the IT granted a stay on the matter till the final disposal of the case, the company challenged it in High Court. On March 3, 1999, the High Court dismissed the company's petition and upheld the IT decision.

The department moved on May 1, declaring the strike by 125 employees illegal, and said the appropriateness of the Rs 500-deduction could be decided by the court.

The VKU had first taken objection to the flat deduction of Rs 500 from each workers' salary, instead of a day's wages. Workers of Hema Chemicals Unit number 1, located in Gorwa, began their indefinite strike on December 11, 1998, after repeated representations failed to yield results. Solanki said if the Department did not withdraw its order within 15 days, the VKU would file a contempt of court case in the High Court.