( 1 ) THESE four appeals are directed against judgment dated january 10th, 1992, delivered by the learned single judge in writ petition nos. 12586 of 1985 and 14335 of 1987. As the issues raised in these four appeals are identical, it is convenient to dispose of all the appeals by this judgment. The facts, which gave rise to the filing of these appeals, are as follows: vanivilas co-operative sugar factory is registered under the provisions of the Karnataka co-operative societies ACT and is engaged in the manufacture of sugar, running a distillery and other incidental activities. The factory was managed by the board of directors as contemplated under the ACT and the rules and the state government held majority of shares of the society. The government of Karnataka and the registrar of co-operative societies exercise the control over the management and affairs of the society. The factory had employed more than 600 workmen and out of them, 338 were permanent, while 312 were seasonal. The seasonal workmen were engaged from time to time. The factory commenced the business in the year 1972.

( 2 ) ON april 2nd, 1985, the factory published lay-off notice informing the work