Page 1 of 4. IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.20967 of 2026 Devaraj Panda ..... Petitioner Represented by Adv. - Bhabani Shankar Mishra -versus- State Of Odisha & Ors. ..... Opposite Parties Represented by Adv. – S.Behera, A.G.A. CORAM: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA ORDER 14.07.2026 Order No. 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Mode. 2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner as well as learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the State- Opposite Parties. Perused the writ application as well as the documents annexed thereto. 3. The Petitioner has filed the present writ application with the following prayer: “Under the aforesaid facts and circumstances it is therefore most humbly prayed that your Lordship's may graciously be pleased to i) Admit the writ application. ii) Call for the records, iii) to issue appropriate direction to pay the UGC scale of pay of Rs. 1740-3000/- and subsequent seale of pay of Rs.2200/- Rs.4,000/- to the petitioner as per decision of Govt. of India. UGC after reaching at the stage of Page 2 of 4. Rs.2700/- with effect from 01.01.1986 as per Annexure-2 and further direction also entitled to get the revised scale of pay as introduced by UGC with corresponding scale of pay Rs.5500/- 9000/- (Rs.1700/- Rs:3000/- and Rs.8000/- Rs.13.500/- (Rs 2200-4000/- within a stipulated period in the light of order passed by this Hon'ble Court in OJC No- 1088/2000-decided on 30.09.2011 under Annexure-11 with reference W.P.(C) (OAB) No.3/12 decided on 09.08.2021 under to Annexure-12 and OJC NO 3292 of 2001 decided on 19.09.2014 under Annexure-13 and W.P.(c) No.11835/22 decided on 18-11 2022 under Annexure-14 of as the petitioner is similarly situated retired employee of Demonstrator and fully covered by the judgment of this Hon'ble Court and same benefit may be granted in favour of the petitioner in the interest of justice. iv) And further be pleased to direct the opp.party no.1-to take a decision on representation of the petitioner dated 5.5.2026 under Annexure -15 series and to dispose of the same within a time stipulated fixed by this Hon'ble Court; And pass any other order(s) direction(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper.” 4. It is stated by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that ventilating his grievance with regard to grant of UGC scale of pay as a retired Demonstrator of Government College, the Petitioner has already approached the Opposite Party No.1 by filing a representation dated 05.05.2026 at Annexure-15 series to the writ application. Learned counsel for the Petitioner further contended that despite filing of such representation, no final decision has been taken by the Opposite Party No.1 and being aggrieved by such inaction on the part of the Opposite Party No.1, the Petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ application. 5. In course of his argument, learned counsel for the Petitioner Page 3 of 4. referring to the orders passed by this Court in different writ applications at Annexures-11 and 14, stated before this Court that the issue involved in the present writ application is no more res integra and that the same has already been finally adjudicated. In such view of the matter, learned counsel for the Petitioner contended that the case of the Petitioner is squarely covered by the ratio laid down by this Court in the judgment under Annexure-11 and 14 to the writ application. Accordingly, it was prayed that the writ application be allowed and necessary direction be given to the Opposite Parties to extend the benefit of UGC scale of pay to the present Petitioner. 6. Learned counsel for the State, on the other hand, contended that although he has no specific instruction in the matter. However, he further submitted that in the event any representation is pending before the Opposite Party No.1 for consideration and no final decision has been taken thereon, he will have no objection in the event this Court directs the Opposite Party No.1 to consider the representation of the Petitioner in accordance with law and the applicable rules/ guidelines within a stipulated period of time. 7. Considering the submissions of learned counsels for the parties, further taking into consideration the nature of the prayer, this Court deems it proper to dispose of the writ application at the stage of admission by directing the Opposite Party No.1 to consider the grievance of the Petitioner as indicated in his representation dated 05.05.2026 at Annexure-15 strictly in accordance with law keeping in view the judgments at Annexures-11 and 14 to the writ application and dispose of the same by passing a speaking and reasoned order within a period of eight weeks from the date of Page 4 of 4. communication of a certified copy of this order by the Petitioner. The final decision so taken by the Opposite Party No.1 be also communicated to the Petitioner within ten days from the date of taking such a decision. 8. With the aforesaid observations/ directions, the writ application stands disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per Rules. ( A.K. Mohapatra ) Judge Anil Designation: Junior Stenographer