New Rules for Penalty Adjudication and Appeals Under Dock Workers Act, 2026

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has notified the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Adjudication of Penalties and Appeal Rules, 2026, under the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948. These rules establish procedural frameworks for filing complaints, conducting inquiries, imposing penalties, and filing appeals for contraventions of schemes framed under the Act. The Deputy Chairman of the Calcutta Dock Labour Board is designated as the adjudicating authority, while the Chairman serves as the appellate authority. The adjudicating authority must complete proceedings within six months of issuing a show cause notice, while appeals must be disposed of within sixty days of admission. Penalties imposed under these rules, if unpaid, shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue, and all sums realised must be credited to the appropriate fund of the Calcutta Dock Labour Board. The rules provide detailed procedural timelines, forms, and service requirements for complaints, notices, and orders.