1. Heard the arguments of learned counsels in W.P.Nos.2872, 2873, 4570, 5084 and 5257 of 2011 on 10.3.2011 and in W.P.No.4722 of 2011 on 11.3.2011.2.The short question that arises for consideration in these writ petitions is whether the attempt by the State Government in covering the educational institutions employing 20 or more persons under the provisions of the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 (for short ESI Act) is legally valid? If the coverage of such institutions are legally valid whether the exclusion of the educational institutions run by the Government and Government Aided institutions from the purview of the notification is discriminatory? and that the impugned notification covering the petitioners alone are liable to be struck down on ground of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

2. The State Government by the exercise of its power under Section 1(5) of the ESI Act had issued a preliminary notification by G.O.No.58, Labour and Employment Department, dated 15.4.2005 notifying the educational institutions, excluding the Government and Government Aided institutions, run by various types of bodies and individuals employing more than 20 to be brought with