V. K. Jhanji, J.

1. The sole question to be determined in a bunch of writ petitions, namely, C. W. P. Nos.6882, 6883,6808,7993, 17370 of 1991,4550 and 14993 of 1992, 2604 of 1993 and 15079 of 1994, is whether the Forest Department of State of Haryana is an industry within the meaning of Sec.2 (j) of the Industrial Disputes Act (Hereinafter referred to as the Act ). Since common question of law and facts is involved in all the writ petitions, the same are being disposed of by a common judgment. For facility of reference, facts are taken from Civil Writ Petition No.6882 of 1991.

2. Second Respondent was appointed as a daily-rated worker by the Divisional Forest Officer, Hissar, on October 3, 1978. He worked as such till December 18, 1987 when his services were terminated. Since according to the workman his services had been terminated without any notice or charge-sheet, he sought reference under Sec.10 of the Act. He claimed that he being a workman under Sec.2 (s) of the Act and had a continuous service of more than 240 days during a period of 12 calendar months preceding the date of termination of services, is entitled to benefit of Sec.25-F of the Act. The matter was referr