GANGESHWAR PRASAD, J. :- The following question has been referred to this Division Bench for answer:

"Can the propriety of an order of the Authority under the Payment of Wages Act admitting an application under section 15 (2) after the expiry of the prescribed period of six months be raised in an appeal by an employer against a direction under section 15 (3) of the Act."

2. The question arose in two connected civil revisions which came up for hearing before Mathur, J. The learned Judge did not note any conflict in decisions relating directly to the question, but he found a conflict in decisions on a matter having a vital bearing on it, and he thought it necessary that the conflict be resolved. He accordingly directed that the papers be laid before the Hon'ble the Chief Justice for referring the question to a larger Bench. That is how the question has been referred to this Bench.

3. In his order for reference Mathur, J. mentioned two cases arising under the Payment of Wages Act: Prem Narayan Amritlal Verma v. The Divisional Traffic Manager AIR 1954 Bom 78 decided by Chagla, C. J. and Civil Revn. No. 603 of 1961 of this Court decided by Manchamia, J. In the former case it was h