The first two writ petitions were admitted on 11. 1999 and the third writ petition was admitted on 33. 1999. The Miscellaneous application filed by the petitioners for grant of interim stay on the impugned legislation and the stay of the impugned G.O.70

Department of Health and Family Welfare dated 12. 1978 was dismissed by a reasoned order dated 20.9.2000. In respect of the earlier two miscellaneous petitions, the prayer for interim relief was dismissed on 212. 2002. In the subsequent application for interim stay filed by them, only notice was ordered. Pursuant to the notice, the second and fifth respondents have filed counter affidavits. In view of the interconnectivity among the three writ petitions, they were heard together and common order is being passed.

2. The Tamil Nadu Legislature passed an Act viz. The Tamil Nadu Siddha System of Medicine (Development and Registration of Practitioners) Act, 1997 (For short "TN Siddha Act"). The said Act provides for establishment of Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council (For short "State Council"). Under Section 2(14), the Act provides for prescription of a Schedule. Section 34 of the TN Siddha Act reads as follows:-

The Governme