Bhawanipatna: Girl students of Pahadpadar residential school in this block in Kalahandi district have sought the intervention of DEO, alleging irregularities at their 110-bed hostel.
The girls reached DEO Pradeep Kumar Nag’s office Wednesday and narrated their problems. They alleged that they were given poor quality food for the last six months at the hostel.
Situated at the remote pocket of Lanjigarh block, 75 km from here, the hostel is for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) girls and has 50 inmates.
The schoolgirls also complained of torture and abuse from hostel superintendent Pratibha Samal.
In a written complaint, the girls said that they were never given vegetables, meat and eggs. Poor quality dal is being served to them daily.
They also alleged that they had to share one biscuit packet of Rs 5 between two students.
The girls also alleged that the hostel had frequent power cuts and they had to depend on kerosene regularly. A girl alleged that Pratibha abused them when they asked for kerosene and matchbox during power cuts.
“She abuses us and asks us to buy matchbox from our own money or bring it from home,” the girls said.
In residential schools, the government provides a stipend of Rs 900 to a student per month. The stipend includes expenditure for food, clothing, cosmetics and other materials. However, the hostel authorities allegedly pocketed the money.
When contacted, Pratibha said the allegations were baseless. She accused some local elected representatives of conspiring against her. Meanwhile, the girls have threatened to leave the hostel if immediate action was not taken against the superintendent.
Nag said, “I have directed the block education officer of Lanjigarh to hold an inquiry and submit a report within two days.
Action will be taken after receiving the report, the DEO added.
