V. S. Aggarwal, J.

1. By this common judgment, two Civil Writ Petition Nos.11791 and 13993 of 1996 can conveniently be disposed of together because the questions involved in both these petitions are identical.

2. State of Punjab assails the order passed by the Presiding Officer, Labour Court, Jalandhar. The relevant facts in the case of State of Punjab V/s. Hari Dass and Anr. are that Hari Dass had alleged that he was employed as a Beldar in the Public Works Department (Building and Roads), Provincial Division, Hoshiarpur on August 10, 1990. He worked continuously upto July 8, 1981. His services were terminated without any notice, charge-sheet or retrenchment compensation. He was getting Rs.385/- per month as his wages. He gave a demand notice and a reference was made to the Labour Court. The said reference was declined by the Labour Court only on the ground that the Public Works Department is not an industry. A fresh reference was made in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court wherein the Supreme Court has categorically stated that the Public Works Department is an industry. In the reply filed, State of Punjab has contested the same. It was insisted that the Public Work