IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No. 22321 of 2020 Ajay Kumar Sahoo & others …. Petitioners Mr. A. Tripathy, Advocate -

-Versus State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Ms. B.K. Sahu, AGA CORAM:

JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK DATE OF HEARING:29.01.2026 DATE OF JUDGMENT:15.05.2026

1. The present writ petition is filed by the petitioners with a direction to the opposite party to forthwith issue orders of regularization of their services as Drivers in the establishment with effect from 17^th September, 2013 in the scale of pay of Rs.5200-20200/- with Grade Pay of Rs.1500/- with usual allowances admissible as per G.A. Department Resolution dated 17^th September, 2013 in the same manner as other similarly situated contractual Drivers have been allowed in terms of Annexure-4 series and the decisions of the Apex Court in Secretary, State of Karnataka & others Vrs. Umadevi (3) & others (2006) 4 SCC 1 and State of Karnataka & others Vrs. M.L. Kesari & others (2010) 9 SCC 247 besides the order in W.P.(C) No.20629 of 2020.

2. The petitioners were allowed to continue as DLR Drivers in Finance Department until 28^th February, 2006 and thereafter, they were posted as Direct Contractual Drivers w.e.f. 1