The court reinforced that compliance with procedural directives is mandatory in selection processes, emphasizing the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.

JUDGMENT :

ANANDA CHANDRA BEHERA, J.

1. This writ petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, 1950 has been filed by the petitioner- Kalyanmayee Self Help Group, Jaleswar against the Opp. Parties praying for quashing the order dated 18.10.2025 (Annexure-25) passed by the Director, ICDS & SW, Women & Child Development Department (Opp. Party No.2), and the Order dated 27.10.2025 (Annexure-26) passed by the Collector & District Magistrate, Balasore (Opp. Party No.3) in favour of the Opp. Party No.6 (Maa Kamala Self Help Group).

2. The factual backgrounds of this writ petition which prompted the petitioner for filing of the same is that, as per the order dated 01.09.2025 (Annexure-24) passed by this Court in WP(C) No.22630 of 2025 filed by the Opp. Party No.6 (Maa Kamala Self Help Group) against the State and others, liberty was given to the petitioner in that writ petition vide WP(C) No.22630 of 2025 to prefer an appeal before the Director, Special Projects within 10 days challenging the engagement of the petitioner of this writ petition in THR production and distribution according to the revised guidelines of the Government and if such an appeal is preferred, the appellate authority shall consider the same in accordance with law after following due procedures and to pass a reasoned order within 4 (four) weeks.

As per the aforesaid order dated 01.09.2025 (Annexure-24) passed in WP(C) No.22630 of 2025 by this Court, the Opp. Party No.6 in this Writ Petition preferred an appeal before the Director, ICDS & SW, Women & Child Development Department (Opp. Party No.2).

The said appeal of the Opp. Party No.6 was disposed of on dated 18.10.2025 (Annexure-25) by the Opp. Party No.2 directing Collector and District Administrator, Balasore (Opp. Party No.3)

“to adopt a free, fair and transparent process for the engagement of WSHG for THR production and distribution clarifying that, all the eligible WSHGs should be given adequate opportunity to participate in the said process before the Opp. Party No.3 and the applicant fulfilling all conditions and having good track record in all aspects should be selected adhering to the revised THR GUIDELINES, 2018 and the compliance report with details justification in the said matter should be submitted to the Department of WSD within 15 working days.”

On the basis of the said order dated 18.10.2025 (Annexure-25) passed by the Opp. Party No.2 in an appeal, the Collector and District Magistrate, Balasore (Opp. Party No.3) as per Order dated 27.10.2025 (Annexure-26)

“selected to the Opp. Party No.6 to produce/prepare THR Chhatua & MSPY under SNP for the remaining period of 2025- 26 for the entire Jaleswar ICDS Project w.e.f. 01.11.2025 and disengaged Kalyanmayee SHG of Jaleswar (petitioner) from the same and directed to the petitioner Kalyanmayee SHG of Jaleswar (petitioner) to handover stock of the unutilized wheat, so supplied forthwith to Opp. Party No.6 and also directed to the DSWO, Balasore and the CDPO, Jaleswar to implement the said order dated 27.10.2025.”

Accordingly, the DSWO and CDPO Balasore (Opp. Party Nos.4 & 5) issued Letters vide Annexure 27 series to the Opp. Party No.6 for the preparation and distribution of THR Chhatua and MSPY for the year 2025-26 for the entire Jaleswar ICDS Project.

3. On being aggrieved with the aforesaid Order dated 27.10.2025 (Annexure-26) passed by the Collector & District Magistrate, Balasore (Opp. Party No.3) and its consequential Letters vide Annexure-27 series, the petitioner challenged the same by filing this Writ Petition under Articles 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India, 1950 praying for quashing the annexures 26 & 27 series on the ground that, the said