Breaking News: Odisha CM Suspends Four Officials Over SCB Fire Tragedy
·3 weeks ago·2 min read
Key Points
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi suspended four officials for alleged negligence in connection with the SCB Medical College fire that killed 11 patients.
Bhubaneswar, Mar 18: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered the suspension of four officials on Wednesday over alleged negligence in connection with the devastating fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital that claimed multiple lives.
The action follows the March 16 blaze in the hospital’s Trauma Care ICU, which has so far killed 13 patients, including three who died later during treatment.
Officials Suspended for Negligence
Acting on the Chief Minister’s directive, the following officials were placed under suspension:
Prakash Kumar Jena, Deputy Fire Officer, Cuttack Circle
Sanjeeb Kumar Behera, Assistant Fire Officer, Cuttack Circle
Abhinav Prusti, Station Officer, SCB Medical College and Hospital
Ranjan Kumar Biswal, Assistant Executive Engineer under GED, SCB Sub-Division
The government cited dereliction of duty as the primary reason behind the disciplinary action.
Fact-Finding Probe Underway
Earlier, the Chief Minister had constituted a fact-finding team under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to investigate the circumstances leading to the fire.
Preliminary reports indicated that the blaze broke out between 2.30 am and 3 am, allegedly due to a short circuit in the ICU, where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment.
Also Read: SCB Fire Death Toll Rises to 11; NHRC Seeks Report from Odisha Chief Secretary Within 15 Days
National and State Response
The National Human Rights Commission also sought a detailed report from the Odisha Chief Secretary on March 17, directing authorities to submit findings within 15 days.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Chief Minister Majhi had earlier announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh each for the next of kin and directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured and extend all possible support to affected families.
The action follows the March 16 blaze in the hospital’s Trauma Care ICU, which has so far killed 13 patients, including three who died later during treatment.
Officials Suspended for Negligence
Acting on the Chief Minister’s directive, the following officials were placed under suspension:
Prakash Kumar Jena, Deputy Fire Officer, Cuttack Circle
Sanjeeb Kumar Behera, Assistant Fire Officer, Cuttack Circle
Abhinav Prusti, Station Officer, SCB Medical College and Hospital
Ranjan Kumar Biswal, Assistant Executive Engineer under GED, SCB Sub-Division
The government cited dereliction of duty as the primary reason behind the disciplinary action.
Fact-Finding Probe Underway
Earlier, the Chief Minister had constituted a fact-finding team under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to investigate the circumstances leading to the fire.
Preliminary reports indicated that the blaze broke out between 2.30 am and 3 am, allegedly due to a short circuit in the ICU, where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment.
Also Read: SCB Fire Death Toll Rises to 11; NHRC Seeks Report from Odisha Chief Secretary Within 15 Days
National and State Response
The National Human Rights Commission also sought a detailed report from the Odisha Chief Secretary on March 17, directing authorities to submit findings within 15 days.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Chief Minister Majhi had earlier announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh each for the next of kin and directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured and extend all possible support to affected families.
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