Puri DEO Stops Salaries of 72 Headmasters Over Awareness Camp Irregularities
Puri: In a stern move to enforce accountability, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Puri, Deepak Padhi, has withheld the salaries of 72 headmasters for failing to submit reports on government-mandated awareness programmes.
The programmes—aimed at reducing snake bite deaths and raising lightning safety awareness—were funded with Rs 4,500 per school to conduct awareness camps. Despite repeated reminders, the headmasters did not provide utilisation certificates or details of the activities carried out.
As a result, their January 2026 salaries have been stopped until compliance is ensured.
The DEO emphasised that such lapses will not be tolerated and warned of further disciplinary action if the reports are not submitted promptly.
The initiative was designed to safeguard students and communities from preventable tragedies.
Officials stressed that proper implementation of these awareness drives is crucial for public safety, and accountability measures are necessary to ensure funds are used effectively.
