High Court issues stay on official’s appointment

In a major setback to the Odisha government, the State High Court on Tuesday granted an interim stay on the continuation of Dr Minati Behera of Cuttack city as the State commissioner for persons with disabilities (SCPD).

In April last year, the government had selected Dr Behera for the coveted post.

After preliminary hearing on a writ petition challenging her selection , a single-judge Bench of Justice B. R. Sarangi passed the interim order.

Issuing notices to Dr Behera and the State government to file their respective counters, the High Court has fixed March 1 next for further hearing. “By this order of the High Court, Dr Minati Behera will cease to function as the State commissioner for persons with disabilities from today,” said Pitambar Acharya, a senior advocate of the High Court who argued the case for the petitioner, K. Ananda of Ganjam district.

The petitioner was one among the 21 aspirants who had applied for the post in pursuance to an advertisement last year. However, the Search Committee had zeroed in on three candidates (other than the petitioner) and the office of the Chief Minister selected Dr Behera.

Source: The Hindu