The employer of Murugan Transports, Cuddalore, has filed this petition challenging the Order of the Authority appointed under section 20 (2) of the Minimum Wages Act (Central Act XI of 1948) directing payment of Rs. 693 and Rs. 422 respectively to respondents 1 and 2 who were employed in the Transport service conducted by the former. Radhakrishnan and Chinnathambi were taken from July, 1954 and November, 1955, as cleaner and learner apprentices by the employer. Their services were terminated in July, 1957. On 19th July, 1958, respondents 1 and 2 along with one other employee applied to the Authority appointed under section 20 (2) of the Minimum Wages Act for payment of certain sums of moneys as representing the difference between the minimum wages payable under the notification of the Government contained in G.O. M,. No. 1247 (Industries, Labour and Co-operation) dated 30th March, 1957, and the actual wages paid to them.

The employer contested the claim on three grounds, namely (1) that a petition under section 20 (2) of the Minimum Wages Act could not be entertained by the Authority at the instance of a discharged employee; (2) that the claim was barred by limitation and (