Arun Madan, J. - (1.) The petitioners who are ex-employees of M/s Hindustan Copper Ltd., Khetri Copper Complex. District Jhunihunu (for short "Undertaking") and were appointed during the period 23rd September, 1970-1980 and made permanent in the said undertaking during the period 12th November, 1973, 1.4th March, 1984 s have come up before this court by way of the instant writ petition tinder Article 226 of the Constitution of India on the ground inter-alia that the respondent-undertaking had declared its intention to close clown the Dariba Copper Project as a result of exhaustion of most of the Mineral Ore deposits in the mines of the Dariba area wherein the respondent-undertaking had been o earlier carrying on the mining activity & the undertaking had taken the decision that continuance of mining work in the said area was neither practicable nor possible in view of the heavy financial constant involved which the management was unable to bear and consequently a decision was taken by the respondent- undertaking of the closure of the mining activity in the said area and as it is consequence thereof not to absorb the employees working in Dariba Copper Project to other existing units of M/s Hindustan Copper Ltd. (Respondent No. 1).
(2.) In pursuance of the aforesaid decision the General Manager of the undertaking invited applications from the erstwhile employees of Dariba Copper Project for exercising their option for their absorption in other projects of the undertaking of face termination from service. It was enjoined upon all the employees that if they were willing to exercise the said option. they were supposed to submit their applications to the Chief of their project upto 1.3.1993 which was set as a dead-line in this regard.
(3.) A circular was issued by the General Manager of the undertaking in consequence thereof on 8.2.1993 (Annexure 1). In continuation of the said circular, dated 8.2.1993, another circular, dated 24.2.1993, was issued by the undertaking. the last date for submission of the applications for absorption was also extended from 1.3.1993 to 31.3.1993 (Annexure 2).;