CDPO in Kendrapara transferred for ‘mental harassment’ of pregnant woman staffer

The Odisha government on Wednesday transferred the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Snehalata Sahoo from her post in Kendrapada’s Derabish block to the post of PO in Dhenkanal following harassment allegations against her.

Women and Child Development Department of the State government has issued a notification in this regard.

Sahoo courted controversy after a clerk in her office identified as Barsha Priyadarshini alleged that her seven-month-old baby died in the womb as the CDPO didn’t allow her to go to the hospital for delivery when she was going through severe labour pain at the office.

Meanwhile, a three-member team comprising of local Tehsildar Pragyan Paramita Prusty, Medical Officer Chittaranjan Behera and District Welfare Officer Manorama Swain has started their investigation into the allegation of Barsha. The members of the committee reportedly reached Barsha’s house today as part of the investigation.

On the other hand, expressing dissatisfaction over the current investigation, the victim has demanded high-level investigation into the incident. She requested the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister to take stern action against the CDPO instead of just transfer.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida had ordered the Kendrapara district Collector to conduct a probe into the incident and submit the report. She also informed that necessary action would be taken after the completion of the investigation.

Notably, Barsha had submitted written complaints about the matter before the district Collector and the SP demanding stringent action against the CDPO.