Argus News - Puri Schools Penalized For Negligence In Safety Campaign Fund Accounts

Puri, Jan 22: In a stern administrative move, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Puri has ordered the suspension of one month’s salary for 72 headmasters and Headmistresses across the district. The action follows their failure to submit expenditure accounts for awareness programmes funded by the government.

Earlier, schools in Puri district were directed to conduct awareness drives on two critical issues: safety measures during lightning strikes and immediate first aid in cases of snake bites. To support these initiatives, each school were allocated ₹2000 for lightning awareness and ₹2500 for snake-bite awareness programs. The campaigns were intended to educate students on life-saving precautions during natural hazards and emergencies.

However, despite clear instructions, many schools did not provide the required financial reports detailing how the funds were utilised. As a result, the DEO issued a letter withholding the salaries of the responsible staff. Specifically, 38 schools failed to account for the lightning awareness program, while 34 schools did not submit reports for the snake-bite awareness campaign.

The decision has sparked discussions in the education community, highlighting the importance of accountability in handling public funds. Officials emphasised that while awareness programs are vital for student safety, transparency in expenditure is equally crucial. The DEO’s directive is seen as a warning to ensure strict compliance with administrative orders in the future.

This development underscores the district’s focus on both disaster preparedness and financial discipline, sending a strong message that negligence in either area will not be tolerated. The move is expected to set a precedent for stricter enforcement of accountability across Odisha.