Orissa High Court
Case Details
ORISSA HIGH COURT : CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 In the matter of an Application under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, 1950 *** 1. Om Shiva Shakti Women Self-Help Group Represented through Secretary Smt. Bharati Sahu Aged about 28 years Daughter of Harisankar Sahu At: Baladi, PO: Narayanpur PS: Tarbha, District: Subarnapur. 2. Uma Maheswari Women Self-Help Group Represented through Secretary Smt. Arnnapurna Padhan Aged about 44 years Wife of Balgopal Padhan At: Achanda, P.O.: Kenjhariapali P.S.: Birmaharjpur District: Subarnapur. 3. Baba Sidheswar Women Self-Help Group Represented through Secretary Smt. Sobhagini Badamali Aged about 54 years Wife of Aruna Badamali At/P.O.: Kadodar W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 1 of 23 P.S.: Birmaharjpur District: Subarnapur. … Petitioners -VERSUS- 1. State of Orissa Represented through Secretary to Government Department of Food Supply & Consumer Welfare, Odisha Bhubaneswar. 2. Collector-cum-District Magistrate, Subarnapur. 3. Managing Director Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. C-2, Nayapalli Bhubaneswar – 751 012 District: Khordha. 4. Chief Civil Supplies Officer-cum- District Manager Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. Subarnapur. … Opposite parties Counsel appeared for the parties: For the petitioner : M/s. Srinivas Mohanty, Kabita Patra Sujit Kumar Acharya and Sushree Ranjan Mohanty, Advocates For the Opposite party Nos.1, 2 and 4 : Mr. Dayanidhi Lenka, Additional Government Advocate For the Opposite party No.3 W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 : None Page 2 of 23 P R E S E N T: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MURAHARI SRI RAMAN Date of Hearing : 17.04.2025 :: Date of Order : 21.04.2025
Decision
ORDER Aggrieved by non-consideration of the petitioners, Women Self Help Groups (“WSHGs”, for short), to participate in the Kharif Marketing Season for the period 2024-25 with respect to paddy procurement qua Rabi Crops and non-inclusion of their names vide Order No.405, dated 12.03.2025 under Annexure-3 issued by the Chief Civil Supplies Officer-cum-District Manager, OSCSC, Subarnapur-Opposite Party No.4, the petitioners have approached this Court by way of the instant writ petition invoking provisions of Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India with the following prayer(s): “The petitioners, therefore, pray that your lordship would graciously be pleased to admit this writ petition, call for the records and after hearing the parties direct the Opp. Parties to allow the petitioners to participate in the procurement of Paddy (Rabi Crop) 2024-25. And pass any other and/or further order as deemed fit and proper under the circumstances of the case. And for this act of kindness, the petitioner, as in duty bound, shall forever pray.” W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 3 of 23 Facts: 2. Facts leading to filing of this writ petition, as emanating from the pleadings, are narrated hereunder. 2.1. The District Social Welfare Officer (“DSWO”) invited willingness by issue of “Expression of Interest” from WSHGs/Federations to become an Agent of the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (abbreviated as “OSCSC”) in pursuance of the Guideline for Paddy Procurement vide Letter No.1977/Mission Sakti, dated 16.09.2019, responding to which the petitioners expressed their willingness. 2.2. In terms of Guidelines for selection and functioning of WSHGS/SHG Federation as Paddy Procurement Agent of OSCSC, the petitioners were required to have their own infrastructure with laptop, printer, weighing machine, inverter and internet connectivity for offline and online paddy procurement. Therefore, the petitioners stated to have availed loans for the management of their Office in order to establish infrastructure as required under said Guidelines. 2.3. Though the petitioners were selected on earlier crop season after verification of their credentials for Kharif Marketing Season (be called, “KMS”), notwithstanding their expression of interest for KMS, 2024-25, they have W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 4 of 23 not been entrusted with the procurement of paddy with respect to Rabi Crops. 2.4. The Office of the District Magistrate-cum-Collector, Subarnapur (Food Safety & Consumer Welfare Section)- Opposite Party No.2 issued Office Order No.405, dated 12.03.2025 indicating training programme on the dates as per schedule for farmer registration for procurement of paddy (Rabi Crop) with respect to KMS, 2024-25. 2.5. Since the petitioners are ignored/eliminated for availing the benefit of participation in the said training programme of farmer registration for procurement of paddy (Rabi Crop), the present writ petition has been filed invoking provisions of Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India. Hearing: 3. As the matter is stated to be urgent as the Marketing Season for Rabi Crop is going to expire soon, and the response of the opposite parties have already on record, on the concession of counsel for both sides, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal. 3.1. Heard Sri Srinivas Mohanty, Ms. Kabita Patra, Sri Sujit Kumar Acharya, learned Advocates for the petitioners and Sri Dayanidhi Lenka, learned Additional W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 5 of 23 Government Advocate for the opposite party Nos.1, 2 and 4. 3.2. On conclusion of hearing, the matter stood reserved for preparation and pronouncement of Judgment/Order. Rival contentions and submissions: 4. This Court on appreciation of aforesaid facts submitted by Sri Srinivas Mohanty, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, vide order dated 18.03.2025 passed the following order: “5. List this matter on 25.04.2025. Counter affidavit, if any, be filed on or before the said date. in the training programme the petitioners may be allowed 6. As an interim measure, it is directed that without to prejudice participate in their respective areas, as per the schedule contained in the Office order dated 12.03.2025 (Annexuer-3). However, it is made clear that the petitioners shall to not claim any equity after being allowed participate training programme. The participation in such training programme shall be subject to result of the writ petition. the in 7. Free copy of this order be handed over to Mr. Dayanidhi Lenka, learned Additional Government Advocate during the course of the day for onward communication to the opposite parties concerned.” 4.1. Responding to the said order, counter affidavit has come to be filed on behalf of opposite party Nos.1, 2 & 4. W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 6 of 23 5. Sri Srinivas Mohanty, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that though this Court vide Order dated 10.03.2025 in batch of matters, being W.P.(C) No.29405 of 2024 (Maa Ashuragadian Women Self Help Group, Subarnapur Vrs. State of Odisha and others), &c. issued certain direction(s) to the opposite parties, flouting the same the case of the petitioners were not considered; rather the conduct and action of the opposite parties would tantamount to overreaching the order of this Court. 5.1. Sri Srinivas Mohanty, learned Advocate vehemently contended that in the earlier round of litigation before this Court it transpired that without granting opportunity of hearing no adverse action could be taken against the petitioners, who were found eligible on earlier occasions for procurement of paddy. Without involving the petitioners, the opposite parties should not have issue Office Order dated 12.03.2025 fixing schedule dates for training programme for farmer registration. 5.2. Therefore, he urged that in view of order passed in the batch matters referred to above, the petitioners are eligible and entitled to participate in the procurement of paddy (Rabi Crop) for KMS, 2024-25. W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 7 of 23 6. Objecting to such contention and refuting submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioners, Sri Dayanidhi Lenka, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the opposite party Nos.1, 2 and 4 advanced argument that having regard to the aforesaid Order dated 10.03.2025 passed in the batch of matters training programme has been scheduled for farmer registration for procurement of Paddy (Rabi Crop) with respect to KMS 2024-25. The apprehension of the petitioners is without comprehension. 6.1. He submitted that the detailed explanation has been proffered in the counter affidavit and the opposite parties in the earlier round of litigation have conceded to the position that the process of paddy procurement was limited to KMS 2024-25, which takes within its sweep both the Kharif as well as the Rabi Crops. 6.2. The Office Order dated 12.03.2025 relates to KMS, 2024-25 with respect to Rabi Crops. Therefore, nothing stated in the earlier round of litigation has been transgressed or deviated. The petitioners, under misconceived notion, have filed the present writ petition. Therefore, the petition is liable to be dismissed being premature. Discussions and analysis: W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 8 of 23 7. 8. The present writ petition relates to farmer registration and procurement of paddy for KMS, 2024-25 (Rabi Crop). The Odisha Rice and Paddy Procurement (Levy) and Restriction on Sale and Movement Order, 2013 defines the term “Procuring Agency” in Clause 2(h) to mean “the Food Corporation of India established under the Food Corporation Act, 1964, Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. established under the Companies Act, 1956, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), Odisha State Cooperative Marketing Federation (MARKFED) and Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation of Odisha Ltd. (TDCC) or any other Corporation, Company or Cooperative Society appointed by the State Government to purchase stocks of rice or paddy from a miller or a producer directly or otherwise for cash and includes its officers and sub-agents appointed by such Procuring Agency”. 8.1. Under the Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016, it has been laid down as follows: “4. Appointment of Dealers and Grant of License.— (1) Dealers shall be appointed by licensing authorities by following such procedure and in such manner as may have been or may be prescribed by the State Government. W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 9 of 23 (2) No Dealer shall be granted a license under this Order unless he has been appointed as such by the Licensing Authority under sub-clause (1). (3) Preference for appointment and for grant of license as dealer shall be given to Gram Panchayats or Urban Local Body, as the case may be, followed by Women Self Help Groups, Cooperative Societies, and other Self Help Groups in that order: Provided that the State Government may alter or modify the order of preference by an order in writing. (4) In case more than one Women Self Help Group or Self Help Group make application for one vacancy of dealership, the Women Self Help Group or Self Help Group having higher grade and proven track record shall be selected for appointment and for granting of license as dealer. (5) The license of persons other than those belonging to the categories mentioned in Sub-clause (3) shall not be renewed if applications from the categories mentioned in Sub-clause (3) shall not be renewed if applications from the categories mentioned in Sub- clause (3) are available for being appointed as dealers. (6) The authority competent to appoint and to grant or renew license under this Order shall make efforts to replace private dealers with Institutional dealers like Gram Panchayats or Municipalities, as the case may be, Women Self Help Groups, Cooperative Societies, and Self Help Groups, within a period of four years from the date of publication this Order in the Official Gazette. W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 10 of 23 (7) The officers specified in column (2) of the table given below shall exercise the powers and perform duties of Licensing Authority in respect of State Level Transport Contractor, Level I and II Handling and Transport Contractors for sugar zonal depot or Retailer or Wholesaler of kerosene, as the case may be, within their jurisdiction as specified in column (3) thereof.” 8.2. In exercise of powers conferred by proviso to sub-clause (3) of Clause 4 of the Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016, the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department has promulgated the following order: “FOOD SUPPLIES & CONSUMER WELFARE DEPARTMENT ORDER The 21st September, 2019 No.14362-FSCW-FS1-MISC-0003/2017/FS&CW In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub- clause (3) of clause 4 of the Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016, the State Government do hereby modify the order of preference for appointment and for grant of license to dealers as follows: Preference for appointment and for grant of license as dealer shall be given to Women Self Help Groups followed by Gram Panchayats or Urban Local Bodies as the case may, Cooperative Societies, and other Self Help Groups in that order. It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Odisha Gazette. W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 11 of 23 By Order of the Governor Sd/-VIR VIKRAM YADAV Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government” 8.3. As per the Guidelines issued by the Government in Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department vide Letter No.13820, dated 12.09.2019, it is stipulated that any Gram Panchayat if not represented by the PACS/LAMPCS, for procurement of paddy in that Gram Panchayat on behalf of the OSCSC, the WSHGs/SHG Federations can be appointed. However, regarding participation of the WSHGs/SHG Federation in such paddy procurement operation during KMS 2024-25, a Revised Guideline vide Letter No.20047, dated 12.07.2024 was issued by the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, in pursuance of which a decision has been taken to allocate work of procurement to the procuring agencies as per their performance during KMS, 2024-25. 8.4. It was impressed upon the Sub-Collector-cum-Chairman, Sub-Divisional Level Paddy Procurement Committee, Sonepur/Birmaharajpur vide Letter No.482/SW, dated 26.07.2024 of the Collector, Subarnapur that forty numbers of Women Self-Help Groups were selected by the District Level Committee for paddy procurement operation from KMS, 2020-21 to 2023-24, on the basis of the recommendation of Sub-Divisional Level W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 12 of 23 Committee. Nonetheless, as per instruction in Letter No.10047/FS&CW, dated 12.07.2024, evaluation of performance of the WSHGs, who were involved in previous KMS, 2023-24 was undertaken, as a result of which the Sub-Divisional Level Selection Committee recommended to debar/eliminate poor performers and facilitate participation of new SHGs by following Guidelines for selection and functioning for paddy procurement as communicated in FS&CW Department Letter No.13820, dated 12.09.2019. 8.5. The Guidelines in FS&CW Department Letter No.13820, dated 12.09.2019 inter alia specified that where any Gram Panchayat is not represented by PACS/LAMPCS, appointment to procure paddy in that Gram Panchayat on behalf of the OSCSC may be made to WSHG/SHG Federations. The selection procedure in the said Guidelines has been spelt out in the following manner: “2. Selection of WSHG/SHG Federation.— (a) WSHG/SHG Federations nominated for participation in paddy procurement should be of impeccable past record both in terms of activity and financial management. (b) SHGs fulfilling the following parameters may be considered for selection as agents of OSCSC Ltd. for paddy procurement: W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 13 of 23 i. ii. iii. iv. WSHG/ SHG federation must have completed 2 years of existence. WSHG/ SHG federation should belong to the same GP where: paddy procurement operations are being proposed. Preference may be given to WSHG/ SHG federation from GP headquarter. village or nearby villages within 1 to 2 KMs radius, as they have to attend the market yards on dally basis & purchase/ delivery of paddy may go for late hours. The WSHG/ SHG federation must have an active bank account with regular monthly saving by WSG/ SHG federation members. The WSHG/ SHG federation must have availed bank credit and should be regular with the repayment schedule. Due care shall be taken to to procure financial position access paddy. their v. The WSHG/ SHG federation should have regular and systematic book keeping relating to Meeting register and updated Pass Book. (c) The WSHG/ SHG federation shall procure paddy at PPC or RMC market yards. The RMC yard must have necessary electricity connection. The WSHG/ SHG federation shall have IT Infrastructure (one laptop/ Internet desktop, a printer and an connectivity and shall deploy a Data Entry Operator from among the WSHG member/members of SHG It shall avail a Digital Signature federation. Certificate out of its own expense for transacting inverter), W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 14 of 23 business. In the digital mode under P-PAS (Paddy Procurement Automation System). (d) Advertisement of Expression of Interest for paddy procurement through WSHG/ SHG federation shall be notified at the Office of the DSWO & at concerned Office of the CDPOs & shall be displayed at concerned AWCs for at least 15 days. The format for Expression of Interest by WSHG/ SHG federations is enclosed herewith as Annexure-I. This shall also be shared with the Block Level Federation. (e) The Sub-Division Level Committee comprising Sub- Collector, DSWO, ARCS, ACSO, concerned CDPOs, concerned BDOS/Tahsildars, Inspector of Supplies of the concerned blocks and Mission Shakti officials will examine the received Expression of Interest of WSHG/ SHG (format enclosed as Annexure-II) and recommend the suitable WSHG/ SHG federations. federations (f) The District Level Committee comprising PD, DRDA, Sub-Collector, DSWO, CSO, DRCS, LDM and District Mission Shakti Officials, will the recommendation of the Sub-Divisional committee and recommend for appointment. examine (g) Collector may appoint WSHG/SHG Federation recommended by the District Level Committee under paddy procurement for a specified area. The District the Collector shall have discretion recommendation and may take appropriate decision in selecting suitable WSHGs/ SHG Federations.” to review 8.6. Accordingly, evaluation of performance of all the WSHGs/SHG Federation and Pani Panchayat involved in W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 15 of 23 paddy procurement operation in respective District of the State of Odisha was undertaken. Accordingly, in Subarnapur District also evaluation of performance of WSHGs/SHG Federation was undertaken and the Agency whose performance was evaluated as “poor”, it was decided not to select and entrust it with the work. 8.7. Since before debarring them from participating in the procurement of paddy programme, no opportunity was given to the Agencies, who were selected and executed procurement work in the past, the petitioners have approached this Court by way of filing writ petitions. In the case of one of the WSHGs, namely, Maa Maheswari WSHG, Subarnapur, which approached this Court by way of writ petition, being W.P.(C) No.29524 of 2024, following Order was passed on 24.12.2024: “2. Heard Mr. S.S. Das, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner so also Mr. P. Acharya, learned Advocate General for the State being assisted by Mr. Lenka, learned AGA and other Counsels in the similar matters on board. 3. 4. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner files Additional Affidavit after handing over a copy of the same to the learned Counsel for the State in the Court. The same be kept on record. Since there are batch of Writ Petitions and the State is yet to file the Counter Affidavit in most of the Writ Petitions, today being the last working day before W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 16 of 23 the ensuing Winter Holidays, the hearing of the present Writ Petition so also connected Writ Petitions on board, cannot be concluded in course of the day. However, since the paddy procurement process cannot be stalled for an indefinite period, which may interest of farmers so also other hamper the beneficiaries and the said process is to be done in the time bound manner, this Court is of the view that the interim order passed earlier in the present case so also in the similar connected matters on board, need modification/clarification. As allegations have been made by the petitioners-WSHG that such action of eliminating them from the process of paddy procurement is politically motivated with an intention of accommodating the new WSHGs and there is also a counter allegation made by the State regarding poor performance of the petitioner-WSHGs, as an interim measure, it is clarified/directed that the State Authority shall procure paddy from the farmers for Kharif 2024-25 through PACS concerned Paddy the only Procurement Centres (PPC), which are the subject matter of the pending Writ Petitions. far as so 5. Accordingly, the interim order passed in the present Writ Petition so also connected matters on board are modified to the effect, as detailed above. 6. Since most of the connected cases, the State is yet to file Counter, the same be filed before the next date of listing. 7. Learned State Counsel is directed to communicate the digitally signed copy of this order available in W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 17 of 23 the website of this Court to the concerned authority urgently for its implementation. 8. The matter be listed in the week commencing from 27th January, 2025 along with the connected matters, on board. 9. Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application as per rules.” 8.8. In compliance of the aforesaid Order dated 24.12.2024, the procurement of paddy was entrusted to PACS with respect to Subarnapur District. 8.9. Later, said batch of matters, i.e., W.P.(C) No.29405 of 2024, &c. including that of the present petitioners in this writ petition, i.e., OM Shiva Shakti WSHG, Subarnapur [in W.P.(C) No.29582 of 2024], Uma Maheswari WSHG, Subarnapur [in W.P.(C) No.29720 of 2024] and Baba Sidheswar WSHG, Subarnapur [in W.P.(C) No.29724 of 2024] were disposed of vide Order dated 10.03.2025, wherein this Court observed as follows: to different writ petitions. Since “5. Perused the record and considered the material enclosed the Opposite Parties by way of affidavit, as relied on by learned Additional Government Advocate, the asserted the to operation of paddy SHG/WSHG procurement for KMS No.2024-25 only, this Court is of the considered view that the Opposite Parties shall act pragmatically without being influenced by is related the steps to debar taken that W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 18 of 23 the decisions taken to debar the SHG/WSHG for KMS 2024-25. In the interest of justice it may deserve to be noted that in view of affidavit, for the future procurement, such debarment may not be hurdle for consideration of such SHG/WSHG to take part as it could not be placed on record by the opposite parties that the adverse material, if any, against the petitioner was confronted to it. 6. Needless to observe for performance for KMS 2024-25 shall not cause any prejudice to none of the parties in the present batch of the writ petitions. the evaluation that 7. In the event, in future Paddy Procurement, if any deficiency is found while evaluation of performance of the SHG/WSHG, the same is required to be put to the notice calling for explanation. Only after affording reasonable opportunity to the affected party concerned, the Opposite Parties may act upon such material.” 8.10. It is alleged that said Order has been passed on conceded position by the opposite parties that the evaluation for performance with respect to KMS 2024-25 shall cause prejudice to none of the parties in the said batch of the writ petitions, and the elimination of the petitioners from participation in the procurement for KMS, 2024-25 does directly lead to disobeying orders of this Court. 8.11. Per contra the learned Additional Government Advocate, clarified that there is no violation of said order inasmuch W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 19 of 23 as this Court on the basis of assurance given by the opposite parties disposed of batch of matter by observing that “in future Paddy Procurement, if any deficiency is found while evaluation of performance of the SHG/WSHG, the same is required to be put to the notice calling for explanation”. Expanding the argument the learned Additional Government Advocate strenuously submitted that the present context is well within KMS, 2024-25, but not “future paddy procurement”. 8.12. As per Annexure-C/4 enclosed to counter affidavit, i.e., the Operational Guidelines of KMS, 2024-25 at Paragraph 4, it has been indicated as follows: “4. Paddy Procurement Period.— 4.1. The current KMS, 2024-25 spans from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025. 4.2. The paddy procurement for the current KMS will be done as per the following timelines. Season of KMS 2024-25 Procurement Period From To Kharif Rabi 01.11.2024 01.05.2025 31.03.2025 30.06.2025 8.13. The time line stipulated for procurement of paddy for KMS, 2024-25 with respect to Rabi Crop is 01.05.2025 to 30.06.2025. Scrutiny of the Operational Guidelines W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 20 of 23 makes it abundantly clear that Kharif Marketing Season, 2024-25 (“KMS, 2024-25”) includes the Kharif Crops as well as the Rabi Crops. 8.14. In terms of Order dated 10.03.2025 in batch of matters it is in the future paddy procurement, without affording opportunity to the petitioners by pointing out the deficiencies while evaluating performance of WSHGs/SHG, elimination may not be permissible. The opposite parties may act upon such material, if any, after due confrontation. However, such a stipulation is not applicable for the purpose of procurement of paddy in respect of KMS, 2024-25 which includes the “Rabi Crop”. 8.15. At this juncture, this Court takes note of following assertion of the opposite parties in the counter affidavit filed in the instant case: “*** reasonable 10. That pursuant to the said observation, the District Administration is taking steps to the provide WSHGs/SHG Federation who have been debarred for their poor performance for KMS 2024-25 and thereafter steps would be taken to consider further KMS procurement. opportunity cases their for to *** W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 21 of 23 12. That in view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, this deponent humbly submits that the authority has not violated the Order dated 10.03.2025 passed by this Hon’ble Court in batch of in any manner what-so-ever and the cases WSHGs/SHG Federation including PACS who were involved in paddy procurement during to Khariff 2024-25 have been allowed participate in paddy procurement for Rabi Season. No new WSHGs/SHG Federation has been allowed to participate in KMS 2024-25 for Rabi Season.” 9. As is apparent from the aforesaid position that no new WSHGs/SHG Federation has been allowed to participate in KMS, 2024-25 for paddy procurement of Rabi Crop, which is part of KMS 2024-25, this Court finds no scope to interfere with the process adopted by the Department concerned. Therefore, at this stage when the programme for procurement of paddy for KMS, 2024-25 (Rabi Crops) is currently in progress which is likely to end in June, 2025, it is preposterous to assume on the part of the petitioners that their WSHG would be debarred or eliminated by way of evaluation in case occasion arises in respect of paddy procurement in future Kharif Marketing Season. Conclusion: 10. In the wake of the aforesaid discussion, this Court is not inclined to accede to the prayer(s) of the petitioners and, W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 22 of 23 accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed being devoid of merit, but in the circumstances, there shall be no order as to costs. 11. As a result of disposal of the writ petition, all pending interlocutory applications, if any, shall stand disposed of. (MURAHARI SRI RAMAN) JUDGE Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: ASWINI KUMAR SETHY Designation: Personal Assistant (Secretary-in-Charge) Reason: Authentication Location: ORISSA HIGH COURT, CUTTACK Date: 21-Apr-2025 14:50:36 High Court of Orissa, Cuttack The 21st April, 2025//Aswini/Laxmikant W.P.(C) No.7697 of 2025 Page 23 of 23