Dispose grievances within reasonable timeframe: HC directs Odisha govt

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has expressed concern over delays by government authorities in disposing of applications, observing that a “reluctant or lethargic attitude” in such matters adversely affects execution of public works and the public at large.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman observed this while disposing of a petition filed by an ‘A’ class contractor engaged in construction work on embankment of Kathajodi river. The petitioner, having emerged as the successful bidder for the project, had applied to the mining officer, Cuttack Circle, on October 22, 2025 for grant of a quarry permit for ordinary earth for six months.According to the petitioner, a right is created in a contractor executing a public work to obtain such a permit, as the sand/ordinary earth is required solely for execution of the project. Despite the passage of time, no decision was taken on the application, prompting the contractor to approach the high court seeking issuance of a direction to the mining officer to consider and dispose of the application within a stipulated period. Time has come for authorities to be reminded of their solemn duties to dispose of grievances within a reasonable timeframe,” the judges observed and warned that delay in granting quarry permits for public works hampers timely execution and deprives the public of intended benefits. They also remarked that the government must introspect and ponder upon such issue in bringing some sense of accountability in discharging of the duties by the public officers.The single judge bench of Justice Ananda Chandra Behera on Tuesday observed that the state and its officers are duty-bound to protect the constitutional rights of citizens and cannot withhold wages after availing services. Justice Behera directed the authorities to clear all arrear salaries of the anganwadi worker within 15 days, warning of interest liability in case of default.

Puspanjali Sahoo was appointed as an anganwadi worker on July 24, 2025 at the anganwadi centre no 6 under Prathmakhandi GP in Rasulpur block of Jajpur district. She had sought the court’s intervention alleging that her salary was yet to be disbursed although she had been discharging her duties continuously and regularly. The court directed that 

The bench further directed the mining officer to dispose of the application within two weeks and communicate the decision immediately