DAS GUPTA, J.:

(1) THIS appeal raises the question of the validity of the Madhya Pradesh Minimum Wages Fixation Act, 1962 (Act No. 16 of 1962). The appellant is the Manager of a Bidi counting and labelling factory of M/s. Mohanlal Hargovindas, Jabalpur, who are engaged in the trade of purchase and sale of Bidi in the State of Madhya Pradesh and other States of India. In 1951 the State of Madhya Pradesh fixed rates of minimum wages payable to workmen engaged in Bidi making manufactories. This was done in accordance with the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (Central Act 11 of 1948). These rates of minimum wagesere revised in the year 1956 by a notification of the Madhya Pradesh government dated the 23/02/1956. New rates of minimum wages for workmen engaged in the Bidi making manufactories were notified by the Madhya Pradesh government by a notification dated the 30/12/1958. The notification directed that these rates would come into force from 1/01/1959. The validity of this notification was however successfully challenged by the present appellant before the Madhya Pradesh High court. To meet the situation the Madhya Pradesh Legislature enacted the Minim