Judgment

GAJENDRAGADKAR J. : These two appeals arise out of a demand for bonus made against the appellants by their workmen for the year 1953-54. The Associated Cement Companies Ltd., Bombay, the Cement Marketing Company of India Ltd., Bombay and the Concrete Association of India, Bombay, were faced with a demand of their workmen employed in their offices at Bombay for bonus equivalent to seven months basic wages with dearness allowance. The industrial dispute arising out of this demand was referred by the Government of Bombay for adjudication before the Industrial Tribunal, Bombay, under S. 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act and it was numbered I. T. No. 10 of 1956. The Associated Cement Companies Ltd., Dwarka Cement Works, Dwarka, was similarly faced with a demand of its workmen for bonus equivalent to 50 per cent. of total earnings or six months total earnings. This dispute was referred to the same tribunal and was numbered I. T. No. 13 of 1956. By consent of parties both the references were heard together and evidence was recorded and documents tendered in the first reference. By its award delivered on 30-11-1956, the tribunal directed the companies to pay their workmen drawing