IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C). NO.711 OF 2026 Balaram Goud @ Bhati …. Petitioner Ms.Prachhanda Mishra, Advocate Being authorized by Mr. Dhananjaya Mund, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha and others …. Opp. Parties Mr. Manmaya Kumar Dash, Additional Standing Counsel CORAM: JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR MISHRA ORDER Order No. 06.05.2026 03. 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. The Petitioner, in this writ petition, prays for a direction to the Opposite Parties to sanction and disburse the compensation amount in favour of the Petitioner’s family, pursuant to the judgment dated 01.02.2025 passed by the LAR & R Authority, Berhampur in LAR & R Case No.121 of 2023. 3. Vide judgment dated 01.02.2025, the LAR & R Authority, Berhampur enhanced the compensation granted in favour of the Petitioner’s family. 4. It is submitted by Ms. Prachhanda Mishra, learned counsel, being authorised by Mr. Mund, learned Counsel for the Petitioner, that although the judgment was passed on 01.02.2025, and in the meantime more than one year has already elapsed, the Petitioner’s family is yet to receive the compensation. 4.1. It is submitted that the Special Land Acquisition Officer, Upper Indravati Irrigation Project, Kusumkhunti intimated them that the differential amount can only be disbursed after sanction from the Government. 5. Taking note of the grievance of the Petitioner, this Court, vide order dated 29.01.2026 directed learned State Counsel to take instruction with regard to the status of release of compensation to the Petitioner’s family pursuant to the judgment passed in LAR & R Case No.121 of 2023. 6. Mr. Dash, learned Additional Standing Counsel places on record the copy of the letter issued by the Special Land Acquisition Officer, Upper Indravati Irrigation Project, Kusumkhunti, to the learned Advocate General, Odisha, Cuttack, vide Letter No.383 /(W/E) /UIIP dated 06.05.2026, intimating as under : “Sir, With reference to the subject cited above, I am to say that the Government in Administrative Department i.e. Water Resources Department, Odisha, Bhubaneswar have been pleased to sanction the higher compensation for an amount of Rs.33,93,135/- (Rupees Thirty three lakh ninety three thousand one hundred thirty five) only in favour of Purnima Goud of Vill. Gambhariguda in the aforesaid Writ Petition case arising out of LAR & R Case No.121/2023 vide their letter No.12181/WR dtd.27.04.2026 (copy enclosed). Accordingly, notice has been issued to the concerned beneficiaries to receive the higher compensation. Necessary compliance shall be submitted on the order of the Hon’ble Court within 15 days after disbursement of the higher compensation. Therefore, I would like to request you to kindly appraise the aforesaid matter before the Hon’ble High Court of Orissa.” 7. It is submitted by Mr. Dash, learned Additional Standing Counsel that, since sanction for the enhanced amount has already been made by the Water Resources Department, the differential amount of compensation shall be released in favour of the Petitioner’s family at the earliest. 8. In view of the above, and taking note of the written instruction as above, this Court disposes of the writ petition with a direction to the Special Land Acquisition Officer, Upper Indravati Irrigation Project, Kusumkhunti to release the differential amount of compensation, along with other statutory dues, to the claimants (Petitioner and his family) as expeditiously as possible, preferably by the end of May, 2026, on proper verification of their entitlement and acknowledgement. 9. Urgent certified copy be granted on proper application. (K.R. Mohapatra) Judge (S.K. Mishra) Judge Mona