V. Dhanapalan, J.

Appellant/management has filed this appeal aggrieved over the order, dated 112. 2000, passed by a learned single Judge in W.P.No.2573 of 1994, whereby the order of the second respondent, in rejecting the first respondent/workmans application for making a reference under Section 2-A of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, was set aside.

2. According to the first respondent/workman, he joined service in the appellant company as a Clerk on 18.03.1959 and after working at various places, he was lastly posted at Cuddalore Branch in the Farms Inputs Division; he was a member of E.I.D.Parry Staff Association, a registered trade union; he put in 34 years of service; there was a scheme called Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) introduced by the appellant on 01.06.1993, which was available to the employees, who had completed 10 years of service or 40 years of age, which scheme provided for financial assistance besides normal terminal benefits to employees, who opted to leave the service under the Scheme; through a letter, dated 13.07.1993, he opted for the said Scheme; on 21.07.1993, a settlement between him and the appellant was reached under Section 18 (1) of the