(1.) Writ Appeal Nos.159 and 168 of 2010 are filed against the judgment of the learned Single Judge in W.P.(C) No.24729 of 2006 dated 24.11.2009, quashing Ext.P10 order of the Certifying Officer under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, to the extent it is challenged and Ext.P14 order of the Appellate Authority under the said Act. W.A.No.167 of 2010 is filed against the order dated 7.12.2009 in R.P.No.1188 of 2009 in W.P.(C) No.24729 of 2006.
(2.) W.A.No.168 of 2010 is treated as the main case, for the purpose of referring to the parties and exhibits. The brief facts of the case are the following : The first respondent/writ petitioner is the Managing Director of an industrial establishment, which is running three of its units at Palakkad. The age of superannuation of the employees of the said units, is 55 years. The service conditions of the workmen of the units are governed by the settlements entered into between the management and the workmen, from time to time. The age of superannuation of the employees is governed by the Certified Standing Orders, Ext.P1, which was certified by the Certifying Officer, in 1968. Clause 48 of the said settlement, governs the age of retirement. The said clause reads as follows :-
(3.) The relevant portion of Ext.P10 order of the Certifying Officer reads as follows :-