(1) LEAVE granted. (2) HEARD the counsel on both sides. The High court prejudged the issue by directing to pay as if the respondent is a regular employee. Since this issue is pending adjudication, the High court is not justified in giving such direction. (3) ACCORDINGLY, the direction is set aside. Since the matter is pending in the High court, we request it to dispose of the same as expeditiously as possible preferably within six months, giving preference to the writ petition. (4) THE appeal is accordingly allowed.