ALTAMAS KABIR, CJ., R.K.MERATHIA, J. - (1.) This appeal on the instance of the Bihar State Scheduled Caste Co-operative Corporation Limited and its Managing Director has been filed against the judgment and order dated June 18, 2003, passed by the learned single Judge on the writ application filed by the respondent Nos. 7 to 15 herein, being W.P. (S) No. 2734/2002. In the writ application, the writ petitioners had questioned the manner in which their services had been terminated without due compliance with the provisions of Section 25-F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
(2.) Admittedly, the petitioners had been appointed in "AJAVINI' at different points of time in different capacities. An Engineering Cell was opened in "AJAVINI' but ultimately, a decision was taken to abolish the said Cell. Accordingly, pursuant to a decision dated July 25, 2000, the Administrator 'AJAVINI abolished the Engineering Cell on the ground that no fund for the work was being allotted to the said Cell. An order was passed to take steps for adjusting the employees against the sanctioned posts as per seniority and suitability in Government services. A decision was also taken to terminate the services of those, who were appointed on daily wagers or illegally appointed.
(3.) Consequent upon such decision, the services of the writ petitioners were terminated by orders dated March 26, 2002 and April 10, 2002. While the services of the writ petitioners were so terminated with immediate effect, in the forwarding portion, there was an order to pay one month's salary in lieu of one month's notice and 15 days' wages for each completed year of service, as per Section 25-F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. It is also admitted that no individual notice under Section 25-F of the-aforesaid Act was issued to any of the writ petitioners and besides being given one month's notice pay and compensation equivalent to 15 days' wages of one year, the writ petitioners were deprived of 15 days' wages for each year of completed service as contemplated in Section 25-F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.;