JUDGMENT :

R.K. Dash, J. - The petitioners, employees of Orissa Timber and Engineering Works, Sunabeda, a unit under the management of Orissa Small Industries Corporation Limited, by filing the present writ application under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India have prayed, inter alia, for the following reliefs :

"xxx it is prayed that this Hon'ble Court be graciously pleased to issue a Rule Nisi in the nature of writ of mandamus/certiorati commanding the opposite party to pay the arrear wages of the petitioners, w.e.f. 1.1.1974 as per the revised Pay Rules, 1974 and w.e.f. 1.1.1981 to 24.9.1984 as per the revised Pay Rules, 1981;"

2. Shortly stated the case of the petitioners is that Orissa Small Industries Corporation Limited, a wholly Government owned company, is an instrumentality of State and thus a 'State' within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution of India. The petitioners joined the Rehabilitation Industries which was initially a unit under the management of the Orissa Agro Industries Corporation Limited. The said unit subsequently was re-named as Orissa Timber and Engineering Works and its management was transferred to Orissa Small Industries Corporatio