( 1 ) WE have no manner of doubt that in order to invoke the provisions of S. 26 of the Bihar Shops and Establishment Act 1953, the condition precedent is that an employee should have been in continuous employment for a period not less than six months except for a reasonable cause. Admittedly, the earlier employment of the petitioners were intermittent and not continuous. ( 2 ) IN view of this, special leave petition is dismissed.