Chhatrapur: B Rajendra, a teacher of Baulajholi High School under Kukudakhandi block in Ganjam district was placed under suspension for violating the model code of conduct during panchayat elections.
Earlier, Digapahandi MLA Surya Narayan Patra lodged a complaint with the collector against the teacher for his direct involvement in campaigning. District education officer probed the matter and submitted his report to the collector. The collector recommended suspension of the teacher as allegations were substantiated, it was learnt.
The cases of code of conduct violation by government officials, especially teachers have been on the rise in Ganjam district.
According to a release by the collectorate, four teachers, a tax collector, a tehsil staffer and an IIC have been put under the scanner of the district administration.
It may be noted that physical education teacher Sheshadev Barad of Singhasini Ashram High School of Bhabarada allegedly attended a meeting organised by a political party. Polasara BDO probed the incident and submitted a report to the collector. On being recommended for action against the teacher, district education officer issued a written warning to the PET.
Similarly, a tehsil staffer of Chikiti attended a party meet, it was alleged. The concerned tehsildar was asked to investigate the matter. The IIC of Buguda police station had reportedly helped the two sarpanchs and samiti members of Golia panchayat in their campaign. This apart, Sunil Kumar Sahoo, a tax collector of Berhampur Municipal Corporation, allegedly fielded two candidates in upcoming elections. The BMC commissioner has been asked to probe the matter.
In addition to these cases, Chikiti BDO was also in the soup on the charge of violating the model code of conduct. However, he was given a clean chit by the assistant project director of the district rural development agency. PNN