O. CHINNAPPA REDDY, J.

( 1 ) THE petitioners in the several Writ Petitions are Bidi Manufacturers in the Telangana area of the State of Andhra Pradesh. All of them question the validity of G. O. Ms. No. 1617 Home (Labour II) dated 23-7-1966 by which the Government of Andhra Pradesh revised the minimum rates of wages of workers engaged in Bidi Manufactory. The facts necessary for the disposal of these writ petitions are as hereunder: G. O. Ms. No. 659 dated 22-3-1965 containing a draft proposal to revise, minimum rates of wages of workers, employed in Tobacco (including Bidi making ) Manufactory in the manner mentioned in the Schedule was published in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette on 24-3-1965 and by the same notification the Government invited all persons affected to make their representations before minimum Wages Act. The Schedule in so 1-6-1965 as required by Sec. 5 (1) (b) of the far as it is relevant was as follows: "schedule. SL. No. Category of Workers All inclusive minimum rates. Daily Monthly 1 2 3 II * * * Bidi Manufacture (including Gharkatha) 1. For rolling 1,000 bidis in Urban areas

( 2 ) FOR rolling 1,000 bidis in Rural areas * * * Rs. P. Rs. P. * * * 2-00 1-85 * * * Note:

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