JUDGEMENT
-
(1.)ALL these petitions challenge the validity of the notifications issued by the respondent-State dated 30th June, 2004, thereby fixing the minimum rates of wages for the employees employed in employments covered under Entry No. 65 of Schedule I and the notifications dated 20th July, 2004, thereby fixing the minimum rates of wages for shops and commercial establishments, hospitals, not falling under entry No. 6 in part I of Schedule, and Paper and Paper Board Industries.
(2.)SINCE a common question as to whether the minimum wages as fixed by the State Government by the impugned notifications are sustainable in law, is involved in all these petitions, they were heard together and are decided by the common judgment.
(3.)SINCE there was agreement between the learned counsel for the parties that the arguments advanced in support of the challenge and in support of the defence of the notifications dated 30th June, 2004 pertaining to residuary employments, would cover all the matters, we will only refer to the facts relevant insofar as the impugned notification dated 30th June, 2004, fixing minimum rates of wages for employees employed in the said employments, is concerned.