Saumya Ranjan Sahoo Vs State of Odisha

(1) The finally selected candidates shall be required to undergo two years training in a recognized Forest College to obtain the Diploma in Forestry.

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(2) During the training, selected candidates shall be granted each a stipend as may be fixed by the Government from time to time.

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(3) They shall be entitled to draw actual travel expenses for their journey to and fro the place of training, at the following rates on their initially joining the Forest College and leaving it on successful completion of the two years course:-

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(a) One single 3-tier AC Class fare by train

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(b) One single fare by public bus by the highest class for the journey by road and mileage as fixed by the Government from time to for train journey not connected by public bus service; and

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(c) Actual cost of carriage of personal effects on production of necessary money receipts for the same subject to the maximum limit of such cost as prescribed by the Government.

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(4) Every candidate finally selected for training shall be required to sign an agreement and to furnish a surety bond, to the effect that he or she will work diligently while at the Forest Training College and if required to do so, serve the Government for not less than five years after passing out of the Forest Training College, failing which he or she shall be liable to refund all the money in one installment expended by Government or his or her training in the said College.

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(5) A candidate shall produce from the District Magistrate concerned solvency certificates up to the total amount of expenditure to be incurred on account of the training as the Forest Training College.

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(6) On successful completion of the training in the Forest College, the candidate shall be considered for appointment to the service.”

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In the present writ application, the petitioners have put to challenge

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the validity of Rule 13 of the Rules to the extent the same provides for

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grant of stipend only in place of salary for the training period and the effect of Sub-Rule (6) of the said Rules, whereby the period of training is

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not to be taken into account, for computation of period of service. It appears that the State Government has amended Rule 13 of the said Rules vide Odisha Forest Service, Group-A (Junior Branch) (Recruitment and Condition of Service) (Amendment) Rules, 2024 and with the issuance of the said amendment Rules, Rule 13 has been amended vide notification dated 13.03.2024 published in the Official Gazette on 15.03.2024, wherein it has been provided that the finally selected candidate shall be required to undergo two years training in a recognized Forest College to obtain the Diploma in Forestry and during the training, the trainee shall be paid salary and others allowances as admissible, from time to time.

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It appears from the subsequent amendment that the grievance of these petitioners as raised in the present writ application stands redressed.

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A similar issue had arisen before this Court in the case of Priyadarsinee Sahoo and Others vrs. State of Odisha and Another (W.P.(C) No. 12179 of 2023) in relation to similar Rules namely Odisha Forest Service, Group-B (Recruitment and Condition of Service) (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The said writ petition, in view of the amendment in the said Rules has been disposed of by us, by an order dated 06.05.2024. We are of the view that the petitioners’ case is squarely

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covered by the observations made in the said decision in case of Priyadarsinee Sahoo (supra).

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