IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P(C) No. 17966 of 2024 Sunil Kumar Behera …. Petitioner Mr. D. Tripathy, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha & Others …. Opp. Parties Mr. S.B. Panda, AGA CORAM: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHITTARANJAN DASH Order No. ORDER 05.03.2026 01. 1. By means of this application, the Petitioner seek the following relief:- “Under the facts and circumstances stated above, the petitioner, therefore, prays that in the facts and circumstances stated above, this Hon'ble Court may be graciously pleased to admit the writ petition, issue notice to the opposite parties and this Hon'ble court may direct the Opposite Parties to refund the deposited amount of Rs.7,46,400/- with interest@ 12% per annum to the petitioner taking into consideration the representation of the petitioner pending before the Opposite party no.4 at Annxure-6 and took effective steps in disposal of the same within a stipulated period of time for the ends of justice;” 2. Mr. Panda, learned AGA, drew the attention of this Court to the amendment brought to the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2022, notified on 27.12.2022, wherein the authority which earlier vested with the Tahasildar has since been transferred to the Mining Officer, who is now the competent authority. 3. Keeping in view the aforesaid amendment, the Petitioner may agitate the matter before the Mining Officer, being the appropriate authority, for redressal of his grievance. 4. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. (Chittaranjan Dash) Judge Sarbani Designation: Junior Stenographer