Page 1 of 2. IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No. 36863 of 2025 Indrajit Dash & Ors. ..... Petitioners Mr. S. Dash, Advocate -versus- The Commissioner cum SECY., Dept. of Co-Operation, BBSR & Anr. ..... Opposite Parties Mr. S.P. Das, ASC CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY ORDER 07.01.2026 Order No. 01 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners and learned counsel appearing for the Opp. Parties. 3. Petitioners have filed the present writ petition inter alia with the following prayer:- “It is, therefore, prayed that Your Lordships may graciously be pleased to issue a RULE NISI in the nature of a writ of mandamus, calling upon the Opp. Parties, more specifically Opp. Party No.2-the Registrar of Co- operative Societies, Odisha to show cause as to why he shall not be directed to consider and dispose of the representation dated 12.08.2025 submitted by petitioner no.4-Association on behalf of petitioners no.1 to 3 and other similarly situated retirees, by passing a detailed and reasoned order after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners within a stipulated time, keeping in view the statutory scheme under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and the relevant judicial pronouncements on gratuity and interest; Page 2 of 2. And in the event the Opp. Parties, more specifically Opp. Party No.2-the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Odisha fail to show cause or show insufficient cause, the said Rule may kindly be made absolute and Opp. Party No.2 be directed to dispose of the said representation dated 12.08.2025 by a detailed and reasoned order after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners within such time as may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court; And may further be pleased to pass any such other order(s), direction(s) or writ(s) as may be deemed fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case; And for this act of kindness the petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.” 4. However, taking into account the claim raised in the present Writ Petition, liberty is granted to the Petitioners to make a fresh joint representation before Opp. Party No. 2 by enclosing all the relevant documents and citations in support of their claim, if any, within a period of three (3) weeks hence. 5. It is observed that if such joint representation is filed within the aforesaid time period, Opp. Party No. 2 shall do well to take a lawful decision on the same within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of such representation. Opp. Party No. 2 is directed to give a personal hearing to Petitioner No. 3 on behalf of all the Petitioners prior to taking a decision as directed. The order so passed by Opp. Party No. 2 be communicated to the Petitioners. 6. With the aforesaid observation and direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. (BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY) Judge Sneha