PIL calls for steps to revive Odisha Sahitya Akademi, high court seeks govt response

Cuttack: Orissa high court on Monday directed the state govt to file a detailed affidavit in response to a PIL seeking steps to revive Odisha Sahitya Akademi (OSA), which has been functioning without key leadership and statutory bodies for several months.The PIL, filed by advocate Prabir Kumar Das, pointed out that the posts of president and vice-president of the Akademi have been lying vacant since May 20, 2024, following the completion of the tenure of previous incumbents. It also noted that the general council and executive board — the two statutory authorities responsible for the Akademi’s governance — have remained defunct since July 20, 2023.Taking note of the submissions by additional government advocate Saswat Das, the division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman directed the state govt to submit its affidavit within three weeks. The matter has been listed for Nov 24.