IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.17421 of 2026 SIRIDI SAI, SHG, Bhandaripokhari, Bhadrak …. Petitioner Mr. Sukanta Kumar Dalai, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha and others …. Opp. Parties Mr. U.C. Beura, AGA for opposite party nos.1 & 4 CORAM: JUSTICE MRUGANKA SEKHAR SAHOO Order No. ORDER 05.06.2026 1. 1. The matter is taken up through virtual mode. 2. The petitioner is a Self-Help-Group represented through its Secretary has approached this Court challenging office order dated 20.05.2026 issued by the Collector, Bhadrak-Opp. Party No.4 whereby the petitioner-Self Help Group has been excluded from participation in the paddy procurement process for Rabi Crop Marketing Season, 2025-26. 3. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner has not been issued any show cause nor granted any opportunity of hearing before the decision to exclude the petitioner from paddy procurement for Rabi Crop Marketing Season was taken. Referring to the earlier order dated 18.12.2025 issued by Govt. of Odisha, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department (Annexure-4) for kharif marketing season, 2025-26, it is submitted that, the petitioner was allowed to participate in procurement for kharif marketing season 2005-26 and they have collected maximum quantity of paddy and maximum number of farmers also participated in the procurement process by supplying paddy to the petitioner. The petitioner- Self Help Group continues to be registered as an agency for paddy procurement. 4. Perusal of the writ application indicates that the petitioner has not enclosed any document regarding the details of facilities available with them that could have been presented or has been presented to the authority for consideration. The learned counsel relies on Annexure-5 series to submit that the documents in the said annexure indicate that the petitioner has the infrastructure and other facility. 5. At this stage, it is submitted that the petitioner- Self Help Group with the details of the facilities available with them shall approach the appropriate authority-Collector to take a decision regarding their continuance as a procurement agency for the Rabi Crop Marketing Season, 2025-26. Page 3 of 4 6. The learned Additional Government Advocate upon advance copy served appears and waives notice on behalf of opposite party nos.1 & 4. He submits that if the petitioner will appear before the authority along with the necessary documents indicating the infrastructure, facilities and capacity for procurement of paddy as prescribed, the authority shall consider the same in accordance with law. 7. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned AGA for the State-opposite party nos.1 and 4, in considered view of this Court, no purpose will be served in keeping the matter pending when petitioner is to approach the appropriate authority for taking a decision regarding its capacity and eligibility to continue as an agency for procurement of paddy for Rabi Crop Marketing Season. 8. Accordingly, it is directed that the petitioner, if so advised, shall approach the authority along with all the relevant documents by 9th June, 2026. Upon such representation/application being filed along with all relevant documents indicating the capacity of the petitioner and facility available with the petitioner for procurement of paddy, the authority shall take a decision by 20.06.2026. 9. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of with the aforesaid observations. Page 4 of 4 10. It is clarified that this Court has not expressed any opinion regarding the merits of the case of the petitioner or the contentions of the parties. 11. Urgent certified copy be issued as per Rules. The parties shall have liberty to act upon copy of the order obtained from official website of this Court. (Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo) Vacation Judge Gs