Mir Arshadul Quadri v. Transport Commnr. Cum Chairman, State Transport Authority, Odisha
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
W.P.(C) No. 24512 OF 2022 Mir Arshadul Quadri ....
Petitioner Mr. Kadar Mohammad, Advocate -versusTransport Commissioner-cumChairman, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack and another ....
Opp. Parties Mr. Pravakar Behera, Standing Counsel (For Transport Department)
CORAM:
JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA
ORDER
Order No.
24.09.2022 01.
1.
This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.
2.
The Petitioner in this writ petition prays for a direction for change of Slot No.49 allotted in respect of the vehicle of Petitioner bearing Registration No.OR-05-AA-7787 (Bus). 3.
It is submitted by Mr. Mohammad, learned counsel that the Petitioner has been granted with permanent permit in respect of Slot No.49 under Category 'C' of the rationalized timing from Baripada to Bhubaneswar. Due to some inconvenience, the Petitioner has made an application to the Transport Commissioner-cum-Chairman, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack on 13th September, 2022 under Annexure-5 for allotment of vacant Slot No.13 under Category 'C' from Baripada to Bhubaneswar. He, therefore, prays for a direction to dispose of the said application at an early date. 4.
Mr. Behera, learned Standing Counsel for the Transport Department submits that he has no definite instruction in the matter. He further submits that an advertisement has been made
// 2 // on 23rd September, 2022 in Odia Daily Newspaper "The Samaj" inviting applications for change of slot. If the Petitioner makes an application pursuant to the said advertisement, the concerned authority can 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 that in the event the Petitioner makes an application for allotment of the aforesaid slot pursuant to the advertisement published in daily Odia Newspaper "The Samaj" on 23rd September, 2022, the Transport Commissioner-cumChairman, State Transport Authority, Odisha, Cuttack shall do well to consider the same along with other applications, if any, made by other operators and take a decision thereon as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of production of certified copy of this order and communicate the result thereof to him forthwith. Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.
(K.R. Mohapatra) ms Judge