23. We may also refer to the provisions of Section 27 of the General
Clauses Act, 1897 which provides for “Meaning of service by post”,
which in our opinion is applicable when we consider the issue of
“delivery of the award” under Section 31(5) read with Section 3 of the
Act. Section 27 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 reads thus:–
“27 Meaning of service by post. Where any [Central Act] or
Regulation made after the commencement of this Act authorizes or
requires any document to be served by post, whether the expression
“serve” or either of the expressions “give” or “send” or any other
expression is used, then, unless a different intention appears, the
service shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-
paying and posting by registered post, a letter containing the
document, and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected
at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary
course of post.”