1. With the consent of parties, the two writ applications have been heard together in details for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

2. The first writ application that is CWJC No. 15675 of 2004 has been filed by United Commercial Bank ("UCO Bank" for short) challenging the validity of the order dated 31.3.2003 passed by the Banking Ombudsman under the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 1995 (hereinafter referred to as "the Scheme") in relation to a dispute as between UCO Bank and the Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "the Corporation"). The second writ application that is CWJC No. 11680 of 2004 has been filed by the Corporation for implementation of the award/order dated 31.3,2003 passed by the Banking Ombudsman which is impugned in the first writ.

3. Heard Shri S.D. Sanjay, learned counsel for the UCO Bank, Shri R.S. Pradhan, Senior Advocate for the Corporation and Shri Tarakant Jha, learned Senior Advocate on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India.

4. The question for consideration before this Court is whether the Banking Ombudsman under the Scheme had the jurisdiction to entertain the complaint of the Corporation and whether th