GIRISH CHANDRA GUPTA, J.

1. THE subject-matter of challenge in this writ petition is an order dated December 13, 2005 passed by the Appellate Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and also a notice dated December 30, 2005 issued by the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 directing the petitioner to pay a sum of Rs. 8,80,499.87 paisa together with admissible interest to Shri Ajit Kumar Roy and 115 others namely the respondents Nos. 6-121 herein. THE respondents Nos. 3 and 4 are the Steel Authority of India Limited and its Assistant General Manager. THE respondent No. 5 is the State of West Bengal and the respondents Nos. 1 and 2 are the authorities under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. THE case of the petitioner briefly stated is as follows:- THE petitioner Sailen Seth, carrying on business under the name and style of Seth and Associates, undertook the job of handling of iron and steel materials at the home sales stockyards of the Steel Authority of India Limited at Durgapur for the period between May 14,1984 and December 31,1986 A further contract for a period of 5 years commencing from January 1, 1987 was entered into between the par