1. - In these Writ Petition, petitioners have challenged their termination on the ground that without complying with the provisions of Section 25-F of the Industrial Disputes Act their services have been terminated by the authorities.

2. On behalf of the respondents it was submitted that the petitioners have not completed 240 days. It was further submitted that they were serving under the Rural Landless Guarantee Programme, Minimum Needs Programme and National Rural Employment Programme. It was further submitted that the Industrial Disputes Act does not apply and the question of violation of Section 25 F of the Industrial Disputes Act (hereinafter to be referred as the Act') does not apply.

3. On behalf of the State, Additional Advocate General, Mr. M.I. Khan argued the case with all his vehemence at his command as usual. He was very fair in his arguments and represented the case law very well.

4. Laws now are not merely to maintain order or status-quo ante but are also used as effective (means) for bringing about socio-economic changes in the existing system. Ordinarily, it was considered that law is a set of rules which are enforced by the State to regulate human conduct. T