BARIPADA: The transfer of Mayurbhanj district education officer (DEO)-cum-district project coordinator of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan has snowballed into a political controversy as the officer continues to be in office more than a month after being posted as additional director of OSEPA in Bhubaneswar on deputation.
The School and Mass Education Department on May 21 issued an order transferring DEO Purna Chandra Sethi to OSEPA. However, he is yet to be relieved from his present post in Mayurbhanj, triggering criticism from political leaders and sections of civil society in the district.
Baripada MLA Prakash Soren acknowledged that the transfer order had been issued and said he would soon take up the matter with School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond. Speaking to reporters recently, Soren said he was aware of the transfer order and would seek clarification on the reasons behind the delay in relieving the officer.
The issue also drew criticism from the opposition BJD. Former Baripada MLA and former deputy Speaker Sananda Marndi questioned the delay in issuing the relief order. Claiming that Sethi had served in the district for more than four years, Marndi alleged that despite transfers of DEOs across the state, the Mayurbhanj officer continued in the post.
He wondered how teacher transfers and deployments were carried out by the DEO even after his transfer order had been issued. Marndi said a BJD delegation would soon meet the Mayurbhanj collector to seek an explanation for the delay in relieving the DEO and the circumstances behind it.
A series of transfer and deployment orders were issued by the DEO in June, including transfers of junior assistants and staff to schools and the district education office under ‘exigency of public service.’ Sources said an officer awaiting relief following a transfer order should not continue exercising transfer powers.
A senior official said the delay in relieving Sethi was linked to the non-relief of Rajesh Kumar Pradhan, deputy secretary of the Council of Higher Secondary Education’s Baripada zonal office who is expected to replace him.
