JUDGMENT :

C.R. Dash, J. The workmen represented through SOUTHCO METRE READERS’ SANGHA have impugned the award dated 26.09.2012 passed by the learned Presiding Officer, Labour Court, Jeypore, circuit at Berhampur, in I.D. Case No.1 of 2009 answering the Reference in negative and thereby dismissing the claim of the petitioner holding that they are not entitled to get any relief.

2. The case of the workmen, briefly stated, is that, initially the workmen who are members of the Sangha were working under GRIDCO continuously without any break as Contractual Metre Reader. As per the agreement dated 24.05.1999 between the GRIDCO and SOUTHCO, the power distribution licence was given to SOUTHCO represented by the Chief Executive Officer, whose subordinates are the present opposite parties. After transfer of power distribution licence to SOUTHCO by the GRIDCO, the workmen also continued to do the work of Metre Reader, maintenance, collection of Bills and distribution of Bill Papers under the Executive Engineers of Aska Electrical Division, Chhatrapur Division and Digapahandi Division of the SOUTHCO. It is further pleaded that the workmen had got required service qualifications and they have a