IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI FRIDAY, THE 7TH MARCH 2008 / 17TH PHALGUNA 1929 WP(C).No. 6823 of 2008(K) ------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ KERALA SOAPS AND OILS (K.S.O.)EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, (SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMME HOLDERS) P.O.WEST HILL, KOZHIKODE, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY K.SASIKUMARAN, S/O.LATE K.BALAN, AGED 51 YEARS, 29/43, POTTAMMAL HOUSE, P.O.KOTTOOLI, KOZHIKODE. BY ADV. SRI.SUNNY MATHEW RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA. 2. THE KERALA SOAPS AND OILS LIMITED, KOZHIKODE, REPRESENTED BY MANAGING DIRECTOR. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. BEJOY CHANDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/03/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI, J ------------------- W.P.(C).6823/2008 -------------------- Dated this the 7th day of March, 2008 JUDGMENT Petitioner claims to be an Association of former employees of Kerala Soaps and Oils Employees Association, the first respondent. It is a public limited company. It fell into bad times and therefore, the operations were closed. The assets of the company were recommended to be sold. Petitioner makes reference to Ext.P1 in this regard. Employees were recommended to avail the Voluntary Retirement Scheme. Apparently, even at that point of time, many of them were not paid wages. Some of the employees had opted for VRS, but it is alleged that even then, VRS benefits were not given to many of them. It is contended that there is now a proposal for revival. Several employees have, therefore, filed a representation before the Minister for Industries as Exts.P5 and P6, requesting that if the affairs of the Company are revived, then the persons who were former employees of the Company should also be re-engaged. W.P.(C).6823/2008 2 After having heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader, writ petition is disposed of directing the first respondent to look into the grievance highlighted in Ext.P6 and keep that in mind, as and when the second respondent is revived. At any rate, first respondent shall give a reply to Ext.P6, to the petitioner, within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. V.GIRI, Judge mrcs