JUDGMENT :

A.P. Deshpande, J.—Heard the learned counsel for respective parties.

2. These (17) Writ Petitions involve a common question of law and as such are being disposed of by this common judgment.

3. These petitions are filed by the State of Maharashtra challenging a common judgment dated March 15, 1997 passed by the Labour Court at Jalgaon in exercise of power u/s 33-C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 (hereinafter referred to as the Act for the sake of brevity). The application filed by the respondent- employees u/s 33-C(2) of the Act pertains to their claim for bonus. The applicants lodged the claim before the Labour Court by making an averment that the employees who were daily wagers working in Horticulture Department of the State of Maharashtra are entitled to receive bonus. The employees contended that they are entitled to receive bonus as their case is squarely covered by Government Resolution dated November 10, 1986. The said Government Resolution provides for payment of bonus to such of the employees who satisfy the conditions contained in the said Government Resolution, from the year 1985- 86. The employees as such claimed the bonus as is determined in the Scheme; c