Stating that no decision, even tentatively, had been taken by the boards yet, he said in a press release that the question of adversely affecting existing salaries or putting pressure by INS on wage board officials did not arise.

"The INS would be happy if the employees maintain cordial employer-employee relations in the industry and do not take any unilateral step," he said.

He said both the sides should ensure that the wage boards presided over by Justice Raj Kumar Manisana Singh could complete the work in a just manner and without any delay.

"To deprive the readers of their newspaper on such sectarian pretext particularly at a time when the country is passing through a phase of uncertainty is most unfortunate,"Mathew said.