(1.) Delay condoned. All matters except C. A. No. 1500 of 2000
(2.) Leave granted in the Special Leave petitions (C) Nos. 16401 of 1997, 2015 of 1998, 2017 of 1998 and 3232-3235 of 1998.
(3.) These appeals were heard finally and are being disposed of by this common judgment. The common question which arise for our consideration in these appeals runs as under :