Cuttack: Expressing concern over bureaucratic delays, the Orissa high court pulled up govt authorities for adopting a “reluctant or lethargic attitude” in disposing of quarry permit applications. It also observed that such inaction adversely affects execution of public works and, ultimately, the public at large.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman made the remarks while disposing of on Jan 12 a petition filed by an ‘A’ class contractor engaged in construction of a stretch of Kathajodi embankment.The contractor, who emerged as the successful bidder for the project, had applied on Oct 22, 2025, to the mining officer, Cuttack circle, seeking a six-month quarry permit for ordinary earth required exclusively for execution of public work.Claiming that no decision was taken despite the lapse of considerable time, the petitioner approached the high court seeking a direction to the authority to consider and dispose of the application within a fixed time-frame. The petition was affirmed on Jan 7, 2026, indicating that the application remained unattended till then.During the hearing, additional govt advocate Debashis Tripathy produced a letter dated Jan 8, 2026, issued by the mining officer, calling upon the petitioner to submit certain documents, including original affidavits, for verification. Though the letter did not specify any deadline, the bench remarked that it could be “reasonably inferred that the authorities, on sensing that the petitioner approached the court, have activated the process in order to avoid any stringent order.”Taking the letter on record, the bench observed that the time has come for authorities to be reminded of their “solemn duties” to dispose of grievances within a reasonable period. The Bench also warned that delays in granting quarry permits for public works hamper timely execution of projects and deprive the public of intended benefits.The judges further observed that “the govt must introspect and ponder upon such issue in bringing some sense of accountability in discharging of duties by public officers.”Directing the AGA to hand over a copy of the Jan 8 letter to the petitioner’s counsel the same day, the Bench granted liberty to the contractor to comply with the requisitions expeditiously. It ordered that upon such compliance, the mining officer shall dispose of the application within two weeks and communicate the decision without delay.
