By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 28, 2015 : Bar associations across the State, which were on strike against the state government’s decision to abolish the Odisha Administrative Tribunal [OAT], on Monday decided to call off their stir for 15 days following assurance from chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

The decision follows a meeting between the functionaries of Odisha State Bar Council and the Chief Minister on Monday.

“The chief minister has said that he will look into the matter. After assurance from him, the lawyers will return to work from tomorrow onwards,” said Odisha State Bar Council chairman Manas Mohapatra.

Mohapatra further added that the lawyers will join work wearing black badges. “We will wait for government’s response for 15 days and if it fails to act we will plan our move accordingly”, Mohapatra added.

Earlier on the day today, expressing solidarity with the Odisha Administrative Tribunal (OAT) lawyers, all 110 bar associations across the State and 35 government organisations boycotted the court proceedings protesting against government’s decision to abolish OAT. The High Court bar also resorted to cease work on Monday.

Meanwhile, union minister of state (Independent Charge) of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday sought the intervention of the Union Minister of State of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh to resolve the issue of abolition of OAT as announced by the State government recently.

In a letter to Dr Singh, Pradhan referred to the Odisha State Administrative Tribunal Bar Association’s request to seek intervention of the Centre over the matter.

The Association had earlier submitted a memorandum to Pradhan which mentioned that various factors that impeded smooth functioning of the State Administrative Tribunal and have also suggested measures for improving its effectiveness and efficiency for ensuring better and expeditious justice delivery to the employees.