1. The petitioner is aggrieved against the order passed by the Deputy Commissioner of Labour I who is the authority under Section 20 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Through the said order dated 30.6.1999, the second respondent has observed that the petitioner herein is engaged in public motor transport activities and therefore liable to pay the minimum wages to its employees as contemplated under the provisions of the said Act with 10 times amount of such wage being the compensation to its workers. The said order of the second respondent is challenged in this writ petition mainly on the ground that the business or activities carried out by the petitioner is not coming under the purview of the Minimum Wages Act, more particularly, within the definition and meaning of "Public Motor Transport."

2. The case of the petitioner is as follows:-

(i). The petitioner acts as an agent in Chennai to outstation Cargo carriers who do not have a booking or delivery office at Chennai. The petitioner is having delivery counter and godown and acts as an agent for several companies and cargo carriers. They will send goods meant for consignees in Chennai to the petitioner's godown along wi