(1.) The Writ Petition is filed by the Executive Engineer, TWAD Board, Maintenance Division, challenging an order passed by the first respondent, the Inspector of Labour, Theni, dated 29.06.2006, granting conferment status in respect of respondents 2 to 9.
(2.) When the Writ Petition came up on 16.11.2006, this Court ordered notice of motion and granted an order of interim stay for a period of four weeks. Subsequently, the interim stay was extended from time to time and on 26.04.2007, it was extended until further orders. Since the original counsel appearing for the petitioners informed that she is no longer the counsel, the name of Mr.M.Ajmal Khan, who is the Standing Counsel for the TWAD Board, was directed to be printed in the cause-list. Accordingly, the name of Mr.M.Ajmal Khan was printed and appeared in the cause-list.
(3.) The contention raised by the petitioners Board was that the order passed by the first respondent was without jurisdiction and that the Board is not covered by the provisions of the Act and the authority has assumed the power of judicial officer. It is rather shocking to note that with reference to the application of the Act, the very question came up for consideration before this Court in respect of the petitioners-Board vide judgment in TWAD Board Employees Union vs. TWAD Board, 1983 1 LLJ 410.