Authority: High Court of Odisha, Cuttack
Order Date: 17 June 2026
Case Overview
- Petition filed by Sankarsan Panda (Petitioner) against State of Odisha & others (Opposite Parties) seeking a writ of mandamus for issuance of a promotion letter from Senior Fisheries Technical Assistant to Asst. Fisheries Officer, based on eligibility determined in the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting held on 27 January 2026.
- The petitioner argued that despite being declared eligible in the DPC, the opposite party had not approved the promotion.
- The Court referenced its earlier order dated 21 May 2026 in W.P.(C) No.11840 of 2026, which had directed the opposite party to decide on a similar DPC recommendation within two weeks.
- The Government of Odisha, Department of Fisheries & ARD, issued a notification on 15 June 2026 extending promotion benefits to eligible Asst. Fisheries Officers to the rank of District Fisheries Officer (Group‑A), but the petitioner’s promotion to Asst. Fisheries Officer remained pending.
Final Outcome
- The Court directs Opposite Party No.1 to take a decision on the DPC recommendation dated 27 January 2026 concerning the promotion from Senior Fisheries Technical Assistant to Asst. Fisheries Officer, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within two weeks of receipt of this order.
- While deciding, the Court instructs consideration of the effect of the 15 June 2026 notification extending benefits to Asst. Fisheries Officers.
- The writ petition is disposed of.
Topics: Promotion, Judicial Order, Fisheries Service