Congress demands high-level probe into Puri 5T school mishap

The Odisha unit of Congress on Monday launched a broadside against the state government over frequent mishaps at schools transformed under the 5T initiative and demanded a high-level probe into the mishap at Padhihary High School at Astaranga in Puri district which left a lady teacher of the institution critically injured.

Coming down heavily on the ruling BJD, senior Congress leader Amiya Patnaik alleged that sub-standard work resulted in the mishaps.

“Under the 5T initiative, the transformation of the Padhihary High School was carried out at an expense of Rs 50 lakh. But, the renovation work was assigned to party worker. The contractor engaged in the renovation work carried out substandard work leading to such mishaps,” Patnaik alleged.

“The 5T initiative is nothing but a plan of the State government to promote PC practice benefitting its workers, ministers and MLAs,” Patnaik alleged further. 

However, no comments from BJD could be obtained over Congress’ allegations.

Notably, a lady teacher, identified as Priyadarshini Senapati, had sustained critical injuries after a large chunk of plaster from the ceiling had fallen on her at Padhihary High School at Astaranga on July 19. The incident occurred when a group of teachers were having a discussion in the staff common room.

Apart from Senapati, three other teachers, who were present on the spot, had also sustained multiple injuries in the incident.
Soon after the mishap, Senapati was immediately shifted to Balikuda Hospital and later shifted to Bhubaneswar for further treatment.