Cuttack, Sept. 25: Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha Sahitya Akademi to decide afresh on the Ati Badi Jagannath Das Award for 2010.

For 2010, the award was to be given to Gaganendranath Das.

Citing violation of the Akademi rules in the selection, Hussain Rabigandhi, a former president of the Akademi, had filed the petition.

Though none of the members had suggested Das’s name, the executive board decided to honour him with the award for 2010, the petitioner had alleged.

The division bench of Chief Justice V. Gopala Gowda and Justice B.K. Mishra set aside the nomination of Das and asked the Akademi to take a fresh decision. The Akademi honours literary luminaries of the state with Ati Badi Jagannath Das Award for their significant contribution to Odia language and literature. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a plaque and a citation.

On August 30 last year, the executive board of the Akademi had decided to honour Manoj Das, Mohapatra Nilamani Sahu, Dasarathi Das and Gaganendranath Das with Ati Badi Jagannath Das Award for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

However, the Akademi had not given away the awards till date. The Akademi rules provide for decision on the basis of names recommended by members of the general council board.

The Akademi’s general council board has 50-odd members, including those from all the 30 districts, government representatives and distinguished litterateurs.

The board consists of three elected members, two government nominees, president, secretary and the ex-officio financial advisor.

In case of nomination for awards each member of the board suggests one name. The Akademi rules expect the board to nominate the person, who figures highest among the suggestions.