Orissa High Court Blacklists Silicon Techlab; Odisha PUCC Rule Update

The Orissa High Court has blacklisted Silicon Techlab Pvt Ltd for 5 years following alleged irregularities in the Assistant Section Officers (ASO) examination. The company will not be allowed to participate, directly or indirectly, in any work related to the High Court or its subordinate courts during this period.

Allegations Against Silicon Techlab Pvt Ltd

The move comes shortly after the Odisha government cancelled the empanelment of the company due to its alleged role in the Special Investigator (SI) recruitment scam. The High Court noted discrepancies in the ASO examination conducted in July 2025. Earlier, on November 12, 2025, the Orissa High Court annulled the main written exam conducted on July 13, 2025, citing concerns over fairness. Meanwhile, Suresh Nayak, the company’s owner, was arrested by the State Crime Branch on November 3, 2025, in connection with the SI recruitment case. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Amit Bharati from Bihar, marking the first inter-state arrest related to the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector recruitment scam.

Odisha PUCC Rule Tightened; Vehicle Owners Face Long Queues and ₹10,000 Fine

Vehicle owners in Odisha are facing delays as pollution control norms have been tightened ahead of the New Year. Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be denied fuel and may face fines of up to ₹10,000. Following the announcement, heavy traffic at pollution testing centres has been reported across the state. Long queues and extended waiting times have caused frustration among motorists. Many vehicle owners have experienced technical issues during the PUCC application process, including problems with mobile number linking. In several cases, certificates are reportedly withheld due to pending traffic challans, adding to the inconvenience.