K.M. Thaker, J.

1. Heard Ms. Bhaya, learned advocate for the petitioner (hereinafter referred to as 'the petitioner' or 'the board') and Mr. Rao, learned advocate for the workmen (hereinafter referred to as 'the claimants').

2. This group of 5 similar petitions is listed together in Today's Cause List. This group of 5 petitions is filed against 5 separate but almost identical awards passed by the Industrial Court in 5 reference cases filed by the union on behalf of 5 claimants. The awards impugned in this group of 5 petitions are separate but similar and the learned Tribunal has relied on common evidence. The petitioner in all 5 petitions is common and is aggrieved by identical directions passed by the learned Tribunal. Learned advocates for the petitioner and the claimants have made common submissions in respect of all 5 petitions which are heard together. In this view of the matter, the group of petitions is decided by this common judgment.

3. Special Civil Application No. 75 of 2011 is filed against award dated 9.3.2010 passed by the learned Industrial Tribunal, Surat in Reference (IT) No. 50 of 1996. Special Civil Application No. 76 of 2011 is filed against award dated 9