LALITA DASH Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN this writ petition, the petitioner who was working as an Anganwadi Worker at Gajabahal -I Anganwadi centre seeks to challenge the order dated 8.11.1999 passed by the District Social Welfare Officer, Kalahandi terminating her engagement.

(2.) ACCORDING to the petitioner, she was not given any opportunity to meet the charges and the order grossly violates the principle of natural justice and equity. Relying upon the ratio of the decision of this Court in the case of Minati Sana v. State of Orissa and Yobati Nial v. State of Orissa, reported in 2001 (1) OLR page 340 and 477 respectively, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that before dis -engaging the petitioner, the authorities were bound to issue show cause notice and to follow the principles of natural justice and equity. This having not been done, the order in Annexure -5 needs to be set aside.

(3.) IT further reveals that the petitioner had shown cause According to the learned counsel for the State after perusing the show cause and the enquiry report submitted by the CD.P.O., Karalamunda, the authorities took a decision to disengage the petitioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner relying upon the letter of engagement issued in favour of the petitioner vide Annexure -I submitted that the engagement of the petitioner as Anganwadi Worker under the scheme wag purely temporary and as the letter of engagement itself reveals that the siad order of engagement can be revoked at any time without notice to the petitioner. However, as certain allegations were received against the petitioner and that too with regard to the allegations of misappropriation of food stuff meant to be distributed among the children, destitute ladies and mothers belonging to below poverty line, the authorities thought it just and proper that the continuance of the petitioner in the post would not be in the interest of the project.