Cuttack: The Orissa high court has granted two more weeks’ time to the state govt to file a reply affidavit to the public interest litigation (PIL) seeking strict enforcement of the Orissa Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1959, which prohibit govt employees from participating in strikes.Filed by Cuttack resident Pratap Chandra Sahoo, the PIL alleges inaction against members of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association and the Orissa Revenue Employees Sangha (ORES) for going on strike in violation of service conduct rules.The petitioner, represented by advocate Anup Kumar Mohapatra, has urged disciplinary action, including wage cuts, suspension or dismissal, against officials who abstained from work.In the Jan 27 order, the two-judge bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman said: “As requested by the Additional Government Advocate appearing for the State authorities, two weeks’ time is extended to file an affidavit. Rejoinder, if any, be filed by one week thereafter.”The bench directed that this matter be listed on Feb 17 for consideration along with the state govt’s reply affidavit. The petition was filed on Nov 7, 2025. Taking cognisance of the petition, the court had issued notice to the state govt on Dec 9. When the state govt sought more time on Dec 23, the court had granted two weeks’ time and posted the matter to Jan 27.
