1. By the present writ petition the Award dated 28.02.1996 passed by the learned Judge of the Labour Court, Akola in reference proceedings under Section 17(2) of the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955 (for short the said Act) is under challenge by the petitioner. During pendency of the writ petition the original applicant – claimant expired and his legal representatives have been brought on record.

2. According to the original applicant, he was initially working as a Part Time Correspondent with Indian Express Newspaper (Bombay) Private Limited. According to the applicant, he was supplying news item for being published in daily “Indian Express” and daily “Loksatta”. This arrangement between the parties however, came to be terminated on 31.07.1980. Thereafter, on 21.08.1980 the predecessor of the petitioners engaged the original applicant as a stringer on linage basis. Accordingly, agreement between the parties came to be entered into. The original applicant, accepted terms and conditions as prescribed. Subsequently, the original applicant on 02.06.1998 filed an application under the provisions of