E. PADMANABHAN, J.

The above Writ Appeal and the writ petitions were taken up together for final disposal. 2. Mr. N. G. R. Prasad, learned counsel appeared for the appellant in W.A. No. 254/1998, W.P. Nos. 479/1998, 8503/1997. Mr. A. L. Somayaji, Senior Counsel appeared for the respondent in Writ Appeal No. 254/1998 for M/s. Gupta & Ravi. Mr. S. Ramasubramanian, Senior Counsel appeared for Mr. S. Jayaraman, Senior Counsel in W.P. No. 8503/1997, Ms. R. Vaigai appeared for the petitioners in W.P. Nos. 4270/1997, 3117/1997 & 3233/1998, Mr. G. Subramanian, Senior Counsel for M/s. T. S. Gopalan & Co. appeared for the respondents in W.P. No. 4270/1997, 3117/1997 and 3233/1998. 3. With the consent of counsel appearing for either side, the main Writ Appeal and the Writ Petitions were taken up for disposal. 4. The Writ Appeal No. 254/1998 has been preferred by Indian Oxygen employees Union represented by its General Secretary being aggrieved by the order of dismissal dated January 28, 1998 made in W.P. No. 18098/1997. 5. In the said Writ Petition No. 18098/1997, the petitioners Union prayed for the issue of writ or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent mana