Engagement of Self Help Groups for supply of Take Home Ration is governed by administrative guidelines, and lack of renewal does not constitute an enforceable right, nor does it require a prior notice based on principles of natural justice.

JUDGMENT :

SASHIKANTA MISHRA, J.

1. This writ application has been filed by the petitioner, Trinath Shakti Group (SHG), assailing the order dated 14.10.2025 passed by the Director, ICDS & Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Department, Government of Odisha, whereby the appeal preferred by the petitioner was rejected and the order of the Collector, Bhadrak dated 20.09.2019, disengaging the petitioner from the preparation and supply of Take Home Ration (THR/Chhatua) under the Chandbali-II ICDS Project, was confirmed.

Case of the Petitioner

2. The petitioner is a registered Self Help Group situated at Orasahi under Chandbali Block in the district of Bhadrak. It holds a valid food licence issued under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for manufacture and supply of Take Home Ration (THR) Chhatua. Pursuant to agreements executed with the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Chandbali-II ICDS Project, the petitioner had been engaged for preparation and supply of THR (Chhatua) under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) since the year 2011. The agreements were renewed from time to time in accordance with the applicable guidelines. During the period from 2011 till October, 2019, the petitioner’s unit was subjected to periodical inspections by various inspecting teams. The inspection reports placed on record indicate that the quality of THR supplied by the petitioner and its performance under the ICDS Project were found satisfactory. No adverse communication relating to quality, hygiene or delay in supply was issued to the petitioner during the said period. On 10.09.2019, a District Level Enquiry Team headed by the Tahasildar, Chandbali conducted an enquiry into the functioning of the petitioner SHG and submitted a report. The report recorded certain observations relating to non-installation of a roasting machine, cash transactions and maintenance of cash book and pass book.

On the basis of the aforesaid enquiry report dated 10.09.2019, the Collector, Bhadrak issued letter No.1971 dated 20.09.2019 directing rescission of the agreement with the petitioner and initiation of the process for selection of a new SHG under the Chandbali-II ICDS Project. Before issuance of the said letter, no show cause notice was issued to the petitioner and no opportunity of explanation or hearing was afforded. Aggrieved by the enquiry report dated 10.09.2019 and the consequential order dated 20.09.2019 passed by the Collector, Bhadrak, the petitioner approached this Court by filing W.P.(C) No.19269 of 2019. By judgment dated 06.05.2025, this Court disposed of the writ petition directing the petitioner to prefer an appeal before the Director, ICDS & Social Welfare, Odisha. Pursuant to the aforesaid direction, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the Director, ICDS & Social Welfare. Notice of hearing was issued fixing the appeal for hearing on 26.08.2025 at the Conference Hall of the Women and Child Development Department. On the day of hearing, the Secretary of the petitioner SHG was unable to attend the hearing due to illness and authorised the Cashier of the SHG to appear on her behalf. The authorised representative appeared in the Secretariat on the scheduled date along with her Advocate and her husband.

It is stated in the additional affid