Ramesh Chanddra Das And Others vs State Of Odisha And Others .... Opposite ...
2026 Latest Caselaw 915 Ori

Orissa High Court

Ramesh Chanddra Das And Others vs State Of Odisha And Others .... Opposite ... on 3 February, 2026

                 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
                          W.P.(C) PIL No.790 of 2026
            Ramesh Chanddra Das and others ....                  Petitioners
                                   Mr.Jajati Keshari Khuntia, Advocate
                                     -versus-
            State of Odisha and others          ....    Opposite Parties
                            Ms.Biswabara Dash, Addl. Standing Counsel

                                 CORAM:
                      THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
                                   AND
                 THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MURAHARI SRI RA
                                   MAN

                                     ORDER

Order No.                           03.02.2026
   01.      1.      It appears that the project in question was

sanctioned and started in the year 2017 and the contract was awarded for supply of drinking water under the Scheme "Har Ghar Jal" in 135 villages within Badamba and Narsinghpur Blocks in the District of Cuttack. The project was to be completed within two years, yet nearly 08 years have elapsed, the supply of drinking water at the door steps of the inhabitants of those 135 villages is far away from the realty. Being perturbed with the inaction and dormant attitude of the administration and waiting for such long years, the approach was made to the administration in the year, 2025 and after receiving the said representation, the

administration woke up and started the exchange of correspondences. The steps against the contractor appears to have been taken on 7th January, 2026 when a show cause notice was issued asking the contractor to give reply within 07 days. Even after the lapse of the said 07 days, the counsel for the opposite parties is unable to apprise the Court as to whether any decision has been taken thereupon.

2. We are not unmindful of the universal fact that the water is an essential source of life, not only for the survival of the human race, but also flora and fauna. In the year, 2026, it is inconceivable that several parts of the State are deprived of pure and hygiene drinking water. Several initiatives are taken by the Government, policies are adopted, yet the execution appears to be abysmally low and the people who are beneficiaries of such policy/ Scheme are awaiting for such a long time to avail the benefit thereof. The motto "Har Ghar Jal"

appears to have remained on the papers and no step appears to have been taken to ensure the meaningful implementation of such motto.

3. We, therefore, direct the Engineer-in-Chief, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (opposite party No.3) to submit a report showing not only the progress having made, but also the steps taken between the

year 2019 to 2025 and thereafter, within two weeks from date. However, the pendency of the instant public interest litigation may not stand as a hindrance to any positive step (s) to be taken in this regard by the concerned Department.

4. List this matter on 24th February, 2026.

(Harish Tandon) Chief Justice

(M.S. Raman) Judge Bichi

Signed by: BICHITRANANDA SAHOO

Location: Orissa High Court, Cuttack Date: 05-Feb-2026 15:02:28