( 1 ) THIS application is filed on behalf of respondents 2 to 11 in the writ petition under Section 17b of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947.

( 2 ) THE challenge in the writ Petition is against the award dated 30th September, 1996 of the Industrial Tribunal in I. D. No. 10/88. As per the impugned award the management was directed to reinstate the workmen in service and also to pay to them 50% of back wages from the date of their dismissal from service to the date of the award and full wages from the date of the award to the date of reinstatement in service. While issuing notice on the writ petition and the application for stay (C. M. 997/97) this Court directed that the impugned award shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing. The said stay order was being extended from time to time. Respondent Nos. 2 to 11 in the writ petition are the workmen in whose favour the impugned award was passed. The said workmen have filled the present application for benefits under Section 17b of the Industrial Disputes Act.

( 3 ) THE applicants have stated in the application that they are on the verge of starvation due to prolonged unemployment. It is also stated that they have