1. Heard. By consent of parties all 5 Writ Petitions are heard finally.

2. This is a group of 5 Writ Petitions filed by the Petitioner – Contractor challenging five separate orders, all dated 30.10.2018 passed by the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) in proceedings under Sub-section 2 of Section 20 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (for short “the said Act”).

3. In Writ Petition No.972 of 2019, claim Application dated 30.01.2018 under Section 20 (2) of the said Act was originally filed by Respondent No.2 – Union on behalf of 280 workers for seeking minimum wages on the ground that Petitioner failed to make payment of wages as per notified wages by the Central Government for the period 19.01.2017 to 31.03.2017 and subsequently from 01.04.2017 to 30.09.2017. Thereafter by corrigendum, the number of workers was corrected to 312 workers. By order dated 30.10.2018 the Competent Authority, inter alia, directed the Petitioner to deposit the amount of claim i.e. the difference in minimum wages in respect of the 312 workers totalling to Rs.95,78,632/- alongwith one time compensation of an equal amount with the Competent Authority or in the alternative in the name of the respecti