Anshuman Chiranjib v. Secy.,State Transport Authority, Cuttack

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) NO. 17326 OF 2022 Anshuman Chiranjib Petitioner Mr. G.P. Mohanty, Advocate -versusSecretary, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack ....

Opp. Party Mr. Pravakar Behera, Standing Counsel (For Transport Department)

CORAM:

JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA

ORDER

Order No.

19.07.2022 1.

1.

This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2.

The grievance of the Petitioner in this writ petition is with regard to inaction of the Secretary, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack in considering his application for change of timing slot in respect of the vehicle bearing Registration No.OR-01-T-3727 (Bus).

3.

Mr. Mohanty, learned counsel submits that the Petitioner is the registered owner of the vehicle bearing Registration No.OR-01T-3727 (Bus) and his vehicle has been allotted with Slot No. 230 (Category-B) to depart Bhubaneswar at 18.40 hour and to reach Balasore at 23.47 hour. Because of change of timing slot, there will be no passenger for the stage carriage of the Petitioner. It his submission that timing Slot No.210 (Category-B) to depart Bhubaneswar at 17.00 hour and to reach Balasore at 22.07 hour has not been allotted to any operator. In that regard, the Petitioner made a grievance petition to the Secretary, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack on 27th June, 2022 (Annexure-4), but the same is

// 2 // yet to be redressed. Hence, the Petitioner has filed this writ petition for a direction to the Secretary, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack to consider his grievance petition as at Annexure-4 at an early date.

4.

Mr. Behera, learned Standing Counsel for the Transport Department submits that he has no instruction in the matter. However, if the grievance petition of the Petitioner as at Annexure-4 is still pending before the Secretary, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack, the same may be directed to be considered in accordance with law.

5.

Taking into consideration the rival contentions of the parties, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case of the Petitioner disposes of this writ petition with a direction that on production of certified copy of this order before the Secretary, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack within a period of two weeks hence, he shall do well to consider the grievance petition of the Petitioner as at Annexure-4 and take a decision thereon in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of four weeks therefrom, giving opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned.

Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.

(K.R. Mohapatra) bks Judge