Authority: High Court of Odisha, Cuttack
Order Date: 27.10.2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Mamata Dhrua, represented by Sr. Adv. Upendra Kumar Samal and Adv. Nilachal Samal.
- Opposite Parties: State of Odisha & Ors., represented by AGA Debasish Nayak and counsel Satya Smruti Mohanty (for O.P. No.4) and Sambit Sekhar Moharana.
- Writ Petition: W.P.(C) No.34345 of 2026 (CNR No.ODHC010806032026).
- Background: The petitioner alleges that her family was displaced due to acquisition of land (Khata No.56/88, Mouza Mendra) by the State Government under Section 4(1) read with Section 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for a coal mining project initially undertaken by M/s. Bhushan Limited and later transferred to M/s. Vedanta Limited (Jharsuguda). She seeks employment or the corresponding rehabilitation benefit under the Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006.
- Precedent Cited: A similar petition (W.P.(C) No.36075 of 2023) was disposed on 08.11.2023, directing the Collector, Sundargarh, to consider the claim and resulting in cash-in-lieu being granted to that petitioner.
- Petitioner's Representation: A representation dated 24.02.2026 (Annexure‑4) submitted to the Collector, Sundargarh, reiterating her grievance and requesting expeditious disposal in light of the 2023 order.
- Opposition's Argument: Counsel for Opposite Party No.4 (Vedanta Limited) contended that the petitioner is not similarly situated to the 2023 petitioner and therefore cannot automatically claim the same benefit.
Final Outcome
- The Court, after hearing counsel, directed the Collector, Sundargarh, to consider and dispose of the representation dated 24.02.2026 by a reasoned order, after affording a hearing to both the petitioner and Opposite Party No.4 and considering the latter's submissions.
- The Collector must communicate the decision to the petitioner and complete the exercise within four weeks from the date the petitioner receives a certified copy of this order.
- The writ petition is hereby disposed.
Topics: Land Acquisition, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Employment