JUDGMENT :

MUDHOLKAR, J.

1. This order will also govern Special Civil Application No. 214 of 1958. In these petitions the petitioners challenge the notification issued by the Government of Bombay in Labour and Social Welfare Department, dated 11 June, 1958, under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. That notification runs thus:

"No. MWA. 1557-J. In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section (2) of S. 5 read with Clause (b) of Sub-section (1) of that section of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (XI of 1948), and after consulting the Advisory Board and in supesession of the former Government of Madhya Pradesh Labour Department notification No. 564-451-XXIII, dated 23 February, 1956, the Government of Bombay hereby revise the minimum rates of wages in respect of the employment in any tobacco (including bidi-making) manufactory in the Vidharbha region of the State of Bombay as mentioned in the schedule hereto annexed and directed that this notification shall come into force with effect from 1 July 1958."

Schedule

Subject to the other provisions of this schedule, the revised minimum rates of wage