P.K. Misra, J. - (1.) HEARD Mr. S. Ilamvaludhi, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Mrs.Geetha Thamaraiselvan, the learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1 to 4.
(2.) THE question relates to payment of minimum wages for the persons who are employed as Plot Watchers under the Social Forest Range. The contention of the petitioners is that the minimum wages are not being paid. The application in O.A.No.1739 of 2003 filed by the petitioners was dismissed on the ground that there has been an exemption. In the course of the hearing, the learned counsel appearing for the respondents has produced before us the Government Order, as well as an affidavit, indicating the exemption of the aforesaid Department from the applicability of the provisions of Section 12 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. In view of such exemption, obviously, the question of payment of minimum wages would not arise and the writ petition is liable to be dismissed.
(3.) THE learned counsel appearing for the petitioners however contended that subsequently, the Government has issued several Government Orders for regularisation of persons who were engaged in the Social Forest Department. The dismissal of the present writ petition would, obviously, not stand in the way of the appropriate authority considering the question of regularisation in accordance with law, as per the Government Orders issued from time to time. Subject to the above observation, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs.;