IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.16695 of 2026 Khagendra Rout ..... Petitioner Mr. S.K. Pal, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha & Ors. ..... Opposite Parties Mr. S.P. Das, ASC CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY ORDER 17.06.2026 Order No. 01 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. Heard Mr. S.K. Pal, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner and Mr. S.P. Das, learned Addl. Standing Counsel appearing for the Opp. Parties. 3. The present writ petition has been filed inter alia with the following prayer:- “It is therefore prayed that the Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to admit the case, call for the relevant records of D.P.C. held on 27.01.2026 and after hearing the parties issue a writ of mandamus directing the Opp. Party No.1 to issue a promotion letter to the petitioners taking into consideration DPC held on 27.01.2026 by the Opp. Parties as per the letter stated in 30.03.2026 vide Annexure-6 and fill up 60 number of vacant promotional AFO which laying vacant since 28.11.2025 vide annexure -2; AND To pass such other order/orders as deemed fit and proper; And for which act of kindness, the petitioners shall as in duty bound, ever pray.” Page 1 of 4. 4. It is contended that even though in the DPC held on 27.01.2026 Petitioner has been held eligible to get the benefit of promotion, but due to in action of Opp. Party No. 1 in approving the same, the Petitioner is yet to get the benefit.

4.1. It is further contended that while dealing with similar issue, this Court vide its order dt.21.05.2026 in W.P.(C) No. 11840 of 2026 & batch, passed the following order:-“2. In order dtd.18.05.2026, the I.A. No. 9853 of 2026 be corrected and read as I.A. No. 9583 of 2026. 3. Heard learned counsels appearing for the Parties. 4. Learned Addl. Govt. Advocate contended that he has not got any further instruction, as to whether recommendation made by the DPC on 27.01.2026 has been approved by the Govt., even though Opp. Party No. 1 has been moved. 5. Learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners contended that since Petitioners have been held eligible to get the benefit of promotion in the DPC dtd.27.01.2026, they are suffering due to the in action on the part of Opp. Party No. 1 in approving the same. 6. Considering the submission made, this Court directs Opp. Party No. 1 to take a decision on the recommendation of the DPC dtd.27.01.2026 as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of this order. 7. All the writ petitions accordingly stand disposed of. Photo copy of the order be placed in the connected case records.” Page 2 of 4.

4.2. It is further contended that after receipt of order dtd.21.05.2026, Govt. in the Department of Fisheries & ARD vide its notification dtd.15.06.2026 though extended the benefit of promotion to eligible Asst. Fisheries Officer to the rank of District Fisheries Officer (Group-A), JB in terms of DPC recommendation dt.27.01.2026, but similar claim of the present Petitioner and Petitioners in W.P.(C) No. 11496 of 2026 for promotion to the rank of Asst. Fisheries Officer from the rank of Senior Fisheries Technical Assistant is yet to be approved. 4.3. It is accordingly contended that Opp. Party No. 1 in compliance of order dtd.21.05.2026, be directed to approve the recommendation of the DPC dtd.27.01.2026 as has been done in the case of Asst. Fisheries Officer without any further delay. 5. Learned Addl. Standing Counsel on the other hand contended that he has got no objection, if similar order will be passed as has been passed in W.P.(C) No. 11840 of 2026 & batch. 6. Having heard learned counsel appearing for the Parties and considering the submission made, this Court while disposing the writ petition, directs Opp. Party No. 1 to take a decision on the recommendation of the DPC dtd.27.01.2026 so far as promotion from the rank of Sr. Fisheries Technical Assistant to the rank of Asst. Fisheries Officer is concerned, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of this order.

6.1. While taking such a decision, relevancy and effect of the benefit extended pursuant to order dtd.21.05.2026 in favour of Asst. Fisheries Page 3 of 4. Officer to the rank of District Fisheries Officer vide notification dtd.15.06.2026 be taken into consideration. 7. The writ petition accordingly stands disposed of. (BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY) Vacation Judge Sneha Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SNEHANJALI PARIDA Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 17-Jun-2026 15:29:47 Page 4 of 4.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.16695 of 2026 Khagendra Rout ..... Petitioner Mr. S.K. Pal, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha & Ors. ..... Opposite Parties Mr. S.P. Das, ASC CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY ORDER 17.06.2026 Order No. 01 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. Heard Mr. S.K. Pal, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner and Mr. S.P. Das, learned Addl. Standing Counsel appearing for the Opp. Parties. 3. The present writ petition has been filed inter alia with the following prayer:- “It is therefore prayed that the Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to admit the case, call for the relevant records of D.P.C. held on 27.01.2026 and after hearing the parties issue a writ of mandamus directing the Opp. Party No.1 to issue a promotion letter to the petitioners taking into consideration DPC held on 27.01.2026 by the Opp. Parties as per the letter stated in 30.03.2026 vide Annexure-6 and fill up 60 number of vacant promotional AFO which laying vacant since 28.11.2025 vide annexure -2; AND To pass such other order/orders as deemed fit and proper; And for which act of kindness, the petitioners shall as in duty bound, ever pray.” Page 1 of 4. 4. It is contended that even though in the DPC held on 27.01.2026 Petitioner has been held eligible to get the benefit of promotion, but due to in action of Opp. Party No. 1 in approving the same, the Petitioner is yet to get the benefit.

4.1. It is further contended that while dealing with similar issue, this Court vide its order dt.21.05.2026 in W.P.(C) No. 11840 of 2026 & batch, passed the following order:-“2. In order dtd.18.05.2026, the I.A. No. 9853 of 2026 be corrected and read as I.A. No. 9583 of 2026. 3. Heard learned counsels appearing for the Parties. 4. Learned Addl. Govt. Advocate contended that he has not got any further instruction, as to whether recommendation made by the DPC on 27.01.2026 has been approved by the Govt., even though Opp. Party No. 1 has been moved. 5. Learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners contended that since Petitioners have been held eligible to get the benefit of promotion in the DPC dtd.27.01.2026, they are suffering due to the in action on the part of Opp. Party No. 1 in approving the same. 6. Considering the submission made, this Court directs Opp. Party No. 1 to take a decision on the recommendation of the DPC dtd.27.01.2026 as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of this order. 7. All the writ petitions accordingly stand disposed of. Photo copy of the order be placed in the connected case records.” Page 2 of 4.

4.2. It is further contended that after receipt of order dtd.21.05.2026, Govt. in the Department of Fisheries & ARD vide its notification dtd.15.06.2026 though extended the benefit of promotion to eligible Asst. Fisheries Officer to the rank of District Fisheries Officer (Group-A), JB in terms of DPC recommendation dt.27.01.2026, but similar claim of the present Petitioner and Petitioners in W.P.(C) No. 11496 of 2026 for promotion to the rank of Asst. Fisheries Officer from the rank of Senior Fisheries Technical Assistant is yet to be approved. 4.3. It is accordingly contended that Opp. Party No. 1 in compliance of order dtd.21.05.2026, be directed to approve the recommendation of the DPC dtd.27.01.2026 as has been done in the case of Asst. Fisheries Officer without any further delay. 5. Learned Addl. Standing Counsel on the other hand contended that he has got no objection, if similar order will be passed as has been passed in W.P.(C) No. 11840 of 2026 & batch. 6. Having heard learned counsel appearing for the Parties and considering the submission made, this Court while disposing the writ petition, directs Opp. Party No. 1 to take a decision on the recommendation of the DPC dtd.27.01.2026 so far as promotion from the rank of Sr. Fisheries Technical Assistant to the rank of Asst. Fisheries Officer is concerned, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of this order.

6.1. While taking such a decision, relevancy and effect of the benefit extended pursuant to order dtd.21.05.2026 in favour of Asst. Fisheries Page 3 of 4. Officer to the rank of District Fisheries Officer vide notification dtd.15.06.2026 be taken into consideration. 7. The writ petition accordingly stands disposed of. (BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY) Vacation Judge Sneha Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SNEHANJALI PARIDA Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 17-Jun-2026 15:29:47 Page 4 of 4.