BERHAMPUR: The headmaster of a primary school in Ganjam’s Patrapur block was suspended on Saturday following allegations that students were deprived of mid-day meals for two consecutive days.
The suspended headmaster is Subash Behera, the headmaster of Nuagada primary school in Turubudi panchayat.
Earlier, parents and local villagers had approached Patrapur block education officer (BEO) Sitaram Patra, alleging that students had been returning home hungry after attending classes. They claimed that mid-day meals had not been properly provided at the government-run school for several days.
On Thursday, food had reportedly not been prepared even by noon, leaving all 102 students without lunch. Subsequently, parents reached the school and questioned the cook over the delay. The cook reportedly said he had not been provided with the necessary food items.
The parents then approached the BEO and lodged a complaint against Behera. When the BEO visited the school for inspection on Friday, he found that the children were not served the noon meals on that day as well.
Tensions escalated further after some parents and the BEO reportedly searched Behera’s motorcycle parked on the school premises and allegedly found two bottles of locally-brewed mahua liquor. The villagers alleged that Behera frequently came to the school by consuming alcohol.
On basis of the complaint and allegations, the BEO placed the headmaster under suspension.