JUDGMENT

Dr. S. Muralidhar, CJ. - I.A. Nos.2134, 2138, 2136 of 2021 and I.A. No.72 of 2022

1. For the reasons stated in these applications, prayer for condonation of delay in filing the respective appeals is allowed. The I.As are disposed of accordingly.

W.A. Nos.877, 878, 879 and 1046 of 2021

2. These four appeals by the Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) are directed against the order dated 27th July, 2021 passed by the learned Single Judge allowing the writ petitions filed by the Respondent No.1 in each of the writ appeals. In each of the said writ petitions the prayer was for a direction to the Housing and Urban Development Department (HOUDD), Government of Odisha to enhance the age of superannuation of the said four employees from 58 to 60 years.

3. By the impugned judgment the learned Single Judge has held that there was no justification in the State Government not acting on the recommendation of the Appellant and in discriminating against the writ petitioners who stood on the same footing as other employees of the Appellant in whose case the age of retirement was enhanced from 58 to 60 years. Accordingly, the learned Single Judge issued a mandamus to the HOUDD as well