S.J. Mukhopadhaya, J.

In all these matters as a common question of law is involved and similar order is under challenge, they were heard together and disposed of by this common judgment.

2. The appellants were the workmen of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (IPCL), now amalgamated with Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) (hereinafter referred to as 'the management').

3. The IPCL, a Government of India Undertaking, divested its equity share capital of 46.64% to Reliance Industries Ltd. who took over the management. The management came out with a Voluntary Separation Scheme (hereinafter referred to as 'the VSS') on 6.3.2007. The applications were to be filed on 20.3.2007 and about 2400 employees have chosen to apply for VSS within last two days i.e. 19.3.2007 and 20.3.2007. According to the workmen, having realized the mistake on the late evening of 20.3.2007, and as such applications were filed because of the pressurize tactics adopted by the management, many of the workmen submitted applications recalling their request for VSS. Withdrawal of VSS applications in writing were filed on 21.3.2007 and thereafter, but before the actual cessation of services. As, according to the