( 1 ) THIS bunch of writ petitions is directed against theorders of the Controlling Authority and the Appellate Authority, under thepayment of Gratuity Act, 1972, hereinafter REFERRED TO to as the Act. These petitions raise the common question of law and I will proceed to dispose of thesame by one common order.

( 2 ) IT will only be necessary to give broad facts, with regard to the firstpetition, to determine the nature of controversy between the parties. Respondent No. 1 joined the service of the petitioner company, which was at that timeknown as Birla Textiles on 1/01/1943. On Jan 2/01/1964 he wasallotted quarter in the premises of the said Mill. The respondent retired fromservice on 16/06/1983. The petitioner alleged that respondent No. 1 wasallotted quarter on the basis of the licence fee of Rs. 3. 75. 00 per month, on thecondition that he will vacate the accommodation within" 4 days of the cessationof the service, from the management, but he did not do so nor he obtained"no Objection Certificate" from the Estate Department, for clearance of hisdues. Therefore, his dues, including the gratuity amount, could not be released. The respondent No. 1 on 14/04/1986, ap