Item no. 4 & 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL W.P. (C) No. 876 of 2025 with MC(W.P. (C)) No. 804 of 2025 Naorem Sudhir Singh … Petitioner - Versus - Food Corporation of India and 3 Ors. … Respondents B E F O R E HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA ORDER 06.11.2025 [1] Heard Mr. HS Paonam, learned sr. counsel assisted by Ms. Malemleima, learned counsel on behalf of the petitioner and Mr. W. Darakishwor, learned Sr. PCCG assisted by Mr. L. Jeson, learned counsel for the respondents. [2] By the present petition, the petitioner is challenging the impugned order dated 26.09.2025 passed by Chief General Manager (North Eastern Region), FCI, thereby, imposing a penalty of reduction in time scale of pay by three stages with immediate effect and informed that appeal may be from the period of 45 days from the date of receipt of impugned order. Thereafter, the petitioner filed an appeal before the Executive Director (NE), FCI Zonal Office (NE), Guwahati on 27.10.2025 with a prayer to revoke the impugned order dated 26.09.2025 and exonerate the petitioner from the charges. It is stated that the appeal is still pending before the Appellant Authority. It is further informed that the appeal was filed within a period of 45 days stipulated time. [3] Mr. HS Paonam, learned sr. counsel for the petitioner submits that the writ petition may be disposed of at this stage by directing the Appellate Authority to pass a speaking order to the appeal filed by the petitioner within a stipulated time. OINAM THOIB A MEITEI Digitally signed by OINAM THOIBA MEITEI Date: 2025.11.06 17:10:02 +05'30' [4] Mr. W. Darakishwor, learned Sr. PCCG for the respondents does not have any objection in disposing the present writ petition for the purpose of disposal of the pending appeal before the Appellate Authority. [5] However, Mr. HS Paonam, learned sr. counsel for the petitioner submits that the reduction in the time scale of pay by 3 stages may not be effected till the appeal is disposed of by the Appellate Authority. [6] This Court has considered the materials on record and since, the statutory appeal is pending before the Appellate Authority. [7] The present W.P. (C) No. 876 of 2025 is disposed of by directing the Appellate Authority to consider and shall pass a speaking to the pending appeal filed by the petitioner within a period of 3 (three) months. Since, the prayer for stay of the penalty is made in the appeal as ‘prayer no. iii)’ and this Court is not inclined to pass any direction for staying the impugned order. However, the petitioner is directed to appear before the Appellate Authority in person or through authorized representative on 19.11.2025 and the Appellate Authority shall make an endeavor to dispose of the pending appeal within a period of 3(three) months from 19.11.2025. Till 19.11.2025, the reduction in the time scale of pay by 3 stages from the salary may not be effected, as the petitioner is still getting normal pay. [8] This Court does not express any opinion about the merit of the interim relief and the Appellate Authority shall decide on the question of stay in ‘prayer no. iii)’ of the appeal and nothing stated therein shall not prejudice the right of the parties before the Appellate Forum. [9] The MC(W.P. (C)) No. 804 of 2025 is also disposed of accordingly. JUDGE Thoiba