The Block Education Officer (BEO) of Betanati has placed Namita Majhi, the in-charge Headmistress of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) at Govt UPS Dhanpur, under immediate suspension.
The punitive action follows a grave lapse in supervision after a Class X student residing at the facility gave birth to a baby boy.
According to official sources, the minor student, who was seven months pregnant, was admitted to PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada, where she delivered a child on Wednesday morning. The incident quickly sparked widespread alarm regarding the monitoring mechanisms inside state-run residential educational institutions.
Following an initial assessment, the Betanati BEO concluded that Majhi was prima facie negligent in discharging her administrative duties. The official order highlighted that her inaction led to severe dereliction of duty, directly compromising the safety, welfare, and security of young girl students entrusted to the institution’s care.
Exercising authority under Rule 12 of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1962, the administration suspended Majhi with immediate effect. For the duration of her suspension, her official headquarters has been relocated to G.K. Govt UPS, Saria. She will receive a subsistence allowance equal to 50 per cent of her pay alongside other admissible benefits under standard norms.
To ensure uninterrupted governance and care at the institution, immediate interim arrangements have been made. Subodh Chandra Singh, the senior-most Assistant Teacher, has been appointed in charge of the school’s general administration and the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme. Simultaneously, Swagatika Rout, an Assistant Teacher at the school, will oversee the administration of the KGBV hostel and the 100-seated SC/ST girls hostel until a regular headmaster assumes charge.
The BEO issued strict directives to all concerned officials to complete the handover and takeover procedures with immediate effect, signalling zero tolerance for security oversights in student residential facilities.
