Page 1 of 3. IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.11255 of 2026 Sarmistha Kumari Mishra ..... Petitioner Represented by Adv. - Dr. Binoda Kumar Mishra -versus- State of Odisha & Ors. ..... Opposite Parties Represented by Adv. - Mr. D.K.Sahoo, A.G.A. CORAM: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA Order No. ORDER 23.04.2026 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual /Physical Mode). 2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner as well as learned Additional Government Advocate for the State-Opposite Parties. Perused the writ application as well as the prayer made therein. 3. The Petitioner has filed the present writ application with the following prayer: “It is, therefore, prayed that this Hon'ble court would graciously be pleased to admit this writ petition, call for the records and Issue RULE NISI calling upon the Opp. parties to show cause as to why; i) The decision taken by the Government of Odisha dated 28.04.1997 & 21.06.2008 and the recommendation made by the Director, Higher Education, Odisha dated 29.03.1996 & 20.06.1996 shall not be given effect to; Page 2 of 3. ii) the UGC scale of pay @ of Rs. 2200-4000/- shall not be extended to the Petitioner with effect from 1997, i.e. since the date the Petitioner obtained the qualification of B. Lib Sc.and M.A. in terms and conditions as stipulated by the UGC as well as mandatory; iii) the corresponding revised scales of pay revised by the UGC from time to time shall not be extended to the Petitioner with arrears. And if the Opposite Parties fail to show cause or show insufficient cause, this Hon'ble Court may make the above absolute; And pass any other appropriate order/orders, Writ/writs, direction/directions as this Hon'ble Court may deem just and proper in the interest of justice.” 4. In course of hearing of the writ application, learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner ventilating his grievance has submitted representation before the State of Odisha, represented through its Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Secretariat Building, Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Opposite Party No.1 under Annexure- 14. It is also submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that the said representation is pending as of now. It is also submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that a direction be issued to the Opposite Party No.1 to consider the representation of the Petitioner under Annexure-14 within a stipulated period of time. 5. Learned Additional Government Advocate submits that he has no objection if the representation of the Petitioner is considered by the Opposite Party No.1, which is stated to be Page 3 of 3. pending, in accordance with law within a stipulated period of time. 6. Considering the limited nature of grievance of the Petitioner, the writ application is disposed of at the stage of admission with a direction to the Opposite Party No.1 to consider the representation of the Petitioner dated 09.09.2025 under Annexure-14 within a period of eight weeks from the date of production of certified copy of this order. The Opposite Party No.1 shall do well to dispose of the representation of the Petitioner under Annexure-14 by passing a speaking and reasoned order. The decision so taken by the Opposite Party No.1 be also communicated to the Petitioner within ten days thereafter. 7. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the writ application stands disposed of. 8. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per Rules. (A.K. Mohapatra) Judge Rubi