- (1.) The Petitioner, Manoranjan Rout, states that he is a permanent resident of Vill. Jenapada Dal, P.O. Jenapada, P.S. Athagarh in the District of Cuttack in Orissa. According to him, he now resides at Quarter No. F- 30B, New Colony, Durgapur Thermal Power Station, Damodar Valley Corporation, Durgapur-7 in the District of Burdwan, West Bengal. According to him, he, along with his other cosharers, have landed property pertaining to Khatian No. 483/505 in the Tahsildar of Athagarh in Orissa referred to above and from the entry in Column No. 2 of the "Patta", it would be evident that the Petitioner belongs to the "Paiko" caste.
(2.) The Petitioner states that on 5.3.2000, the Sarpanch of the Jenapada Desh Gram Panchayat issued Caste Certificate in favour of the Petitioner certifying that he belonged to the "Paiko" Caste. He has also stated that one R.P. Swain, the Minister of State (Independent), Youth Service, Science and Technology, Orissa, and Bhartnuhari Mahatab, Member of Parliament, issued Caste Certificates in favour of the Petitioner on 13.4.2000 and 14.4.2000, Certifying that the Petitioner belonged to the "Paiko" caste. These Certificates are Annexure-P/1 to the Writ Petition.
(3.) According to the Petitioner, the Caste "Paiko" in the State of Orissa, has been designated as "Other Backward Class" (O.B.C.) and it has also been included in the State List as Entry No. 138 at Sl. No. 133 is notified in the Gazette Notification brought on record vide Annexure-P/2.;