A.R. Lakshmanan, Ag. C.J.

The matter arises in a very short compass. The first appellant is a casual labourers in agriculture and appellants 2 to 4 are registered toddy tappers. Sixth respondent was the licensee and contractor of toddy shops 12 to 21 of 1993-94 of Adimaly Excise Range in Idukki District. According to the appellants, the sixth respondent had actually conducted the shops and, therefore, he is liable to pay Toddy Workers' Welfare Fund Contribution under Kerala Toddy Workers' Welfare Fund Contribution Act, 1969. According to them, the sixth respondent remitted some amount and defaulted payment of the balance. They contended that since they were not involved or connected in any manner with the conduct of the toddy shops licensed in favour of the sixth respondent, they are not liable to pay any contribution.

2. Ext. P1 is the order passed by the original authority and Exts. P2 and P2(a) are the appeals before the Government. Ext. P3 is the petition submitted by the first appellant for condonation of delay and Ext. P4 series are the orders passed by the government rejecting the appeals on the ground of limitation. Challenging the rejection of the appeals on the