JUDGMENT - Gokhale, J.

(1) This Special Civil Application under Article 226 of the Constitution has been filed by four Bidi Manufacturing Factories in Marathwada under these circumstances: In 1955, after the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, (which shall hereafter be referred to as "the Act") was made applicable to bidi factories in Hyderabad, the Government of the State of Hyderabad issued a notification fixing the minimum rates of wages for bidi-workers. This notification, dated 4th March 1955, came into force on 30th March 1955 in four areas of the Hyderabad State. On 1st November 1956, five districts of Marathwada merged with the Bombay State and on 18th November 1957, the Deputy commissioner of Labour informed all the employers of the tobacco manufactories in the areas of Marathwada that the Government of Bombay was considering the revision of minimum rates of wages fixed under the Act and that Mr. Dhuttia, Assistant Commissioner of Labour (Administration), Bombay, would conduct an inquiry in respect of the existing conditions of services obtaining in the industry including its financial capacity. It seems that Mr. Dhutia, after making an inquiry, submitted his report to the Labour and

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