Stockyard excess and shortage adjustment under a Board circular applies to pending disputes and requires fresh adjudication.

A Board circular dealing with excess and shortage in the stockyard of an integrated steel plant was treated as applicable to pending disputes of this kind. The circular permitted shortage to be adjusted against excess in the stockyard and steel plant, reflecting a practical relief mechanism for integrated steel operations. On that basis, the dispute required reconsideration by the adjudicating authority after giving the parties an opportunity of hearing. The matter was therefore remanded for de novo adjudication, with the appellant entitled to seek adjustment of shortage against excess under the circular.

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Issues: Whether the Board circular governing excess and shortage in the stockyard of an integrated steel plant applied to the pending dispute and entitled the appellant to adjustment of shortage against excess.

Analysis: The dispute arose from excess goods found in the stockyard, with the appellant relying on the Board's special circular issued to address practical difficulties faced by integrated steel plants. The circular provided for adjustment of shortage against excess in the stockyard and steel plant, and was treated as applicable to pending proceedings of this nature. In view of that circular, the matter required fresh examination by the adjudicating authority after allowing the parties an opportunity of hearing.

Conclusion: The appellant was entitled to have shortage adjusted against excess under the circular, and the matter was remanded for de novo adjudication.

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