( 1 ) THIS batch of Six Writ Petitions is filed challenging the orders of the 1st respondent in condoning the delay of (777) days in presenting the application by the 2nd respondent under Section 20 of the Minimum Wages Act.

( 2 ) IT is submitted by the petitioner - management that 2nd respondent filed the applications claiming difference of minimum wages in respect of the workmen employed by the petitioners especially for the period form 1-6-1993 to 17-7-95. While filing the said claim application, the 2nd respondent filed a memo seeking condonation of delay on the ground that he took over the charge as Labour Officer, Circle-I, Ranga Reddy district on 10-6-1994 and he did not not inspect the establishment prior to 25-6-95. When he conducted inspection on 25-6-95, he could find that the management did not pay minimum wages for the aforesaid period to its employees. Therefore, the Inspector submitted that there was a delay of two years, one month and seventeen days be condoned in the interest of justice.

( 3 ) THE principal contention of the learned counsel for the management is that the provisions contained in Section 20 of the Minimum Wages Act (for short the ac