New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant announced on Monday that the long-pending nine-judge bench reference concerning the definition of "industry" under labour law will be taken up on March 17 and 18. The lead case, State of Uttar Pradesh Vs Jai Bir Singh, seeks reconsideration of the expansive interpretation of "industry" laid down by a seven-judge bench in 1978 in the Bangalore Water Supply ruling. This verdict led to a situation where even universities, charitable organisations and autonomous institutions could be included within the ambit of "industry". The ruling subsequently generated sustained criticism from governments and employers, who argued that it blurred the distinction between sovereign functions of th...