IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK CONTC No.1189 of 2026 Senior Journalist's Association,Odisha(SJAO) ...… Petitioner(s) Ms. Pratyusha Naidu, Advocate -Versus- Hemanta Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Information Public Relations Department & Anr. ……. Opposite Party (s) Mr. Sonak Mishra, ASC CORAM: DR. JUSTICE SANJEEB K PANIGRAHI ORDER Order No. 23.06.2026 03. 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement. 2. This CONTC arises out of the order dated 30.04.2025 passed by this Court in W.P.(C) No.9991 of 2025. 3. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the Opposite Party/Contemnor. 4. Since the matter pertains to the decision of the Government and the matter is in active consideration, considering the sensitivity and the aspirations of the journalism community, learned counsel for the State seeks three months minimum time to take appropriate decisions for bringing all the Senior Journalists of the State in the pension scheme. Digitally Signed Signed by: GITANJALI NAYAK Reason: Authentication Location: OHC Date: 24-Jun-2026 15:28:51 Signature Not Verified 2 5. In view of the assurance given by the learned counsel for the State, as per the order dated 02.08.2025 issued by the Government of Odisha, Information and Public Relations Department, this Court grants three months time to the learned counsel for the State in order to enable the State Government to take appropriate decisions for granting pension to the senior journalists considering the overall administrative, resource feasibility and other factors governing the issue. 6. In view of the above, the CONTC is, accordingly, disposed of being dropped. 7. However, the Petitioner is granted liberty to approach this Court with fresh contempt if the same is delayed inordinately. ( Dr. Sanjeeb K Panigrahi) Judge Gitanjali