( 1 ) THE petitioners herein are all co-operative societies (in short, 'the societies') registered under the Karnataka co-operative Societies Act, 1959 (in short, the C. S. Act ). They have challenged the awards orders of the various Labour Courts and Industrial tribunals in the State in reference made by the State Government under s. 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (in short, 'the I. D. Act'), holding that even after S. 70 (2) (d) was incorporated in the C. S. Act by the Karnataka co-operative Societies (Amendment) act, 1976 (Karnataka Act No. 19 of 1976) with effect from 20-1-1976, the labour Court or Industrial Tribunal had jurisdiction to adjudicate the reference made, by the State Government on applications of workmen under S. 33c (2) of the I. D. Act.

( 2 ) THESE petitions were heard on 13-2-80 and other subsequent dates and at the request of the learned Advocate general, they were posted on 2-1-1980 since a submission was made in the course of the arguments that the state Government was contemplating of bringing the necessary bill for amending S. 70 (2) (d) of the C. S. Act. On that date, it was represented by the learned Advocate General that it wou