CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court (HC) today rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging allotment of coal block to Jindal Photo Ltd. A division bench comprising Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice BP Das held that the petition had failed to satisfy the court as to how the public interest is affected if coal block is allotted to the company in question. On the other hand, the court held that the allotment rather serves public interest by creating employment opportunity and industrial growth in Orissa. The bench further observed that there will be an augmentation in per capita income of the people and as such common man will benefit. The petitioner Welfare Society of Orissa, a Jajpur- based NGO, had filed the writ petition challenging the allotment of coal block in Jindal Photo Ltd’s favour alleging that the allotment has been made in violation of guidelines and the allottee has no expertise in coal business. It further stated that people of Orissa will not benefit as the coal would go out of the State. Opposing the allegations of the petitioner, the Central Government counsel said that while allotting all norms have been followed and no irregularity has been committed. The company lawyer stated before the HC that allegations by the petitioner are baseless. The HC concluded that there has been no irregularity, no injury to people of Orissa and no violation of rule of law and accordingly rejected the writ petition.