IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.33140 of 2025 CORAM: JUSTICE SASHIKANTA MISHRA ORDER 08.01.2026 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. Mr. Srinivas Satapathy, Advocate and associates have entered appearance in place of the previous counsel by filing Vakalatnama containing endorsement of no objection of the previous counsel. The Vakalatnama be kept on record. 3. The name of the previous counsel be deleted and the name of the present counsel be reflected in the brief. 4. The petitioner is a Women’s Self Help Group (WSHGs) operating in the district of Ganjam. The group was entrusted with the work of Paddy Procurement in the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-2025 by executing necessary agreement with the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation. 5. However, by a notice dated 07.11.2025 inviting expression for selection of SHGs for management of Paddy Procurement operation during KMS-2025-2026, the Gram Panchayats in which, the petitioner group was executing the work have been listed for selection of SHGs. The petitioner therefore, apprehends that Sri Sri Dakhinakali SHG, Sikula, Ganjam .… Petitioner Represented by Mrs. J.R. Tripathy, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha & Others .… Opp. Parties Represented by Mr. S. N. Patnaik, Additional Government Advocate Order No. 06. . despite satisfactory performance in the work of Paddy Procurement in the past season, it may not be selected. 6. It is further submitted that the petitioner group has been allowed to conduct farmers registration on the strength of the order passed by this Court in the present writ application. The petitioner brings to the notice of this Court, the proceedings of the District Level Paddy Procurement Committee meeting held on 22.12.2025, wherein, it was decided that the engagement of WSHGs in those Gram Panchayats shall be finalized after disposal of the writ applications pending before this Court. 7. Having considered the facts and submissions, this Court is of the view that no adverse order as such has yet been passed against the petitioner group so as to justify its apprehension. Nevertheless, the selection of WSHGs not having been finalized, there ought to be no impediment in allowing it to participate in the selection process. The Paddy Procurement Committee can always take a decision with regard to the petitioner taking into consideration all relevant factors. 8. The writ application is therefore, disposed of directing the Collector, who is the Chairman of the District Level Paddy Procurement Committee, to finalize the selection of WSHGs considering the case of the petitioner group also. A decision in this regard shall be taken as soon as possible, preferably within a week from today. (Sashikanta Mishra) Judge Puspanjali Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack.