B. J. DIVAN, S. H. SHETH, J.

( 1 ) THE petitioners in this matter are the salt manufacturers producing salt by solar heat from sea water at different places in the State of Gujarat and the respondent is the State of Gujarat. The petitioners own Marine Salt Works at different places and they manufacture salt by drawing sea water into crystalisers and then allowing it to evaporate by solar heat. The salt thus manufactured is sold as ordinary salt in the market by the petitioners. The petitioners engaged various categories of employees directly as well as through contractors for the purpose of manufacturing salt; and according to the petitioners the working conditions and the rates of payment of the employees vary as per the local conditions of work at different places. Under the Minimum Wages Act 1948 enacted by the Parliament the State Government is empowered to fix the minimum rate of wages under sec. 3 provided the procedure prescribed under the Act is followed. The State Government can fix such wages in respect of scheduled employment. A Schedule of the different employments in respect of which the minimum wages could be fixed was enacted when the Act was passed in 1948 and under

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