JUDGMENT

G.B.PATTANAIK, J.

(1) LEAVE granted in Special Leave Petition Nos. 6580-6581/1999.

(2) THE respondents in C.A. Nos. 3797-3800/1999 have been set ex-parte as they chose not to appear notwithstanding due service of notice. An I. A. has been filed on their behalf which is taken on Board. The order treating them ex-parte is set aside and they are brought on record.

(3) IN this batch of appeals the short question that arises for our consideration is whether the Memorandum of Agreement with the National Joint Committee for the Steel Industry (for short "Memorandum of Agreement") for compassionate appointment evolved by the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (for short "SAIL") permits for an appointment on the death of an employee to one of the dependents of the deceased employee if some other dependent of the deceased employee 1&. already in service.

(4) UNDER the Memorandum of Agreement it appears the language used is "in case of death or permanent total disablement due to accident arising out of and in course of employment, employment to one of his/her direct dependents (will be provided". The SAIL, on the basis of some agreement, issued