Kurian Joseph, J.

The scope of S.17-b of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') arises for consideration in this appeal. The appeal is at the instance of the petitioner in O.P.No. 29835 of 1999 and it is preferred against an order dated 6.11.2000 in C.M.P. No. 12425 of 2000 in O.P. No. 29835 of 1999 directing payment of last drawn wages to the respondents workmen under S.17-b of the Act. The Original Petition is filed challenging Ext. P13 award passed by the Labour Court, Calicut. The operative portion of the said award reads as follows:

"18. In the result, an award is passed holding that the termination of the service of the workers including that of Mrs. Geetha Ashok is unjustified. The management shall reinstate them in service with continuity of service and other attendant benefits within one month from the date of publication of this award in the official gazette. They are entitled to backwages from the date of termination of their service till reinstatement at the rate of last drawn wages. The management shall pay the arrears of wages within one month from the date of publication of this award in the official gazette failing which t