M. Ramachandran, J.

The above three Original Petitions were jointly heard in view of the circumstances that they were inter connected. The brief facts covered by them are stated below.

2.O.P. No. 20338 of 2000 is seen filed on 18.07.2000 praying for a writ of mandamus for disposing of Ext. P2 appeal, claimed to have been filed on 15.07.2000 before the District Labour Officer, Palakkad. Ext. P2 appeal had been filed by the Secretary of a Union challenging the proceedings of the Assistant Labour Officer, Palakkad purporting to be under S.12 of the Kerala Head Load Workers Act. It had been submitted in the appeal that for the past 30 years, only 15 workers were working in the Forest Depot, Walayar, and they were possessing cards issued by the first respondent, under R.26A(3) of the Rules, in 1992. They had been issued identity cards in Form C on 17.6.1999. Notwithstanding the above, on 14.7.2000, cards have been issued to others and they had not previously done work as Head Load Workers. The recipients were employed elsewhere and they were not entitled to get cards.

3. The Assistant Labour Officer and the Chairman of the Local Committee had been shown as respondents in the ap