1. These are petitions filed by landowners, under Art.226 of the Constitution, challenging the validity of the Kerala Agricultural Workers Provident Fund Scheme, 1975 framed by the State Government in exercise of power under S.8(1) of the Kerala Agricultural Workers Act, 1974 (18/74).

2. The object of the Act is to provide for the welfare of the agricultural workers in the State of Kerala and to regulate the conditions of their work. S.1(3) provides that the Act shall come into force on a date to be notified by Government and that different dates may be appointed for different areas and for different provisions of the Act. Chapter II provides for the appointment/ constitution of Conciliation Officers, Agricultural Tribunals and inspectors. Chapter III contains provisions for security of employment and welfare. Chapter IV deals with hours of work, intervals of rest, over-time payment and wages. The provisions of Chapter V mainly relate to settlement of 'agricultural disputes', through conciliation and adjudication. Chapter VI deals with penalties, offences and prosecutions. Chapter VII contains 'mis¬cellanous' provisions; in particular, S.42 lays down that many of the pro