( 1 ) IN both these petitions filed under Art. 226 of the Constitution of india, the petitioners, who manufacture Mill-board by sun-dry process, have prayed for issuance of an appropriate writ, direction or order for quashing and setting aside the Notification dated 2/07/1979 (Annexure d to the petition) issued by the government of Gujarat in its Labour, Social Welfare and Tribal Development department, in exercise of powers conferred on it by clause (b) of sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 3 read with sub-sec. (2) of Sec. 5 and clause (i) of sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 4 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, fixing minimum rates of wages in respect of employees employed in the scheduled employment known as employment in any Pulp and Paper or Board Manufactory with effect from 15/07/1979.

( 2 ) AS both these petitions involve common questions of facts and law, with the consent of the learned Advocates, these petitions have been heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

( 3 ) THE facts giving rise to the present petition may now be stated : the petitioners manufacture Mill-board by sun-dry process. According to the petitioners, manufacture of Mill-board by sun-dry process