Balasore: A teacher at a government school in Balasore district has been suspended after an inquiry reportedly found evidence that pesticide had been mixed with rice meant for students under the Mid-Day Meal scheme.
The incident was reported from Narayan Chandra UP School at Kalamachua under Khaira block, where parents staged a protest outside the institution on Friday alleging that assistant teacher Kalpana Das had instructed that pesticide be mixed with rice stored for preparation of meals for students.
Following the protest, a team led by Additional Block Education Officer (ABEO) Laxmidhar Singh visited the school and conducted an inquiry on the directions of the education authorities in Khaira.
According to officials, the investigation found evidence suggesting that pesticide had been mixed with the rice earmarked for the Mid-Day Meal programme, allegedly on the instructions of the assistant teacher.
Based on the inquiry findings, the ABEO recommended disciplinary action to the District Education Officer. Acting on the recommendation, the District Education Officer placed Kalpana Das under suspension.
The protesting parents withdrew their agitation after being assured that action would be taken in the matter. However, they demanded stringent punishment against the teacher and called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Further inquiry into the matter is underway.
