Susumarani Biswal v. The Commissioner, Sta, Cuttack

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) NO.20080 OF 2022 Susumarani Biswal ....

Petitioner Mr. Giridhari Singh, Advocate -versusThe Commissioner, STA, Cuttack and another ....

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

CORAM:

JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA

ORDER

Order No.

24.08.2022 01.

1.

This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2.

The Petitioner in this writ petition prays for a direction to the Secretary, STA, Odisha, Cuttack to take a decision on her grievance petition dated 29th July, 2022 (Annexure-3 series) for change of timing slot on the route from Bhubaneswar to Baripada in respect of her vehicle bearing Registration No. OD-01-M-8888. 3.

Mr. Singh, learned counsel submits that the Petitioner has been granted with permanent permit to ply her vehicle from Balasore to Bhubaneswar via Bhadrak. But the timing slot allotted to the Petitioner's vehicle is required to be reconsidered as it does not fetch adequate passengers. In that regard, the Petitioner has made series of representations including the grievance petition dated 29th July, 2022 to the Secretary, STA, Odisha, CuttackOpposite Party No.2 under Annexure-3 series. He, therefore, prays for a direction to the Opposite Party No.2 to take a decision on the same at an early date.

4.

Mr. Behera, learned Standing Counsel for Transport Department submits that the Opposite Party No.2 being the

// 2 // competent authority to take a decision on the grievance petition of the Petitioner, he may consider the same in accordance with law. 5.

In view of the submissions made by learned counsel for 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 to the Secretary, STA, Odisha, Cuttack-Opposite Party No.2 to take a decision on the grievance petition of the Petitioner dated 29th July, 2022 under Annexure-3 series in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of two months from the date of production of certified copy of this order, giving opportunity of hearing to the persons likely to be affected. Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.

(K.R. Mohapatra) bks Judge