Judgment

Arijit Pasayat, J.—These two appeals are inter-linked and are, therefore, taken up for disposal together. Challenge in these appeals is to the legality of the judgment rendered by a Division Bench of the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur confirming the order passed by a learned Single Judge, who while dismissing the writ petition filed by the respondent no. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Union’) in Civil Appeal No. 313 of 2005 gave certain directions. The judgments in the said case were followed in the connected Civil Appeal No. 313 of 2005.

2. Background facts in a nutshell are as follows :

Pursuant to the amendment made in the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance (Central) Rules, 1950 (in short the ‘Rules’) framed under Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 (in short the ‘Act’) vide Notification dated 23.12.1996 which became effective with effect from the date 01.01.1997, the employees who were drawing monthly salary of Rs. 6,500/- which limit was earlier Rs. 3,000/- were required to make contributions at the enhanced rate of 1.75% in place of the earlier figure of 1.5%. The employers contribution was increased from 4% to 4.75%. In view of the Notification those emp