TV
Bharati Singh, a bank mitra and member of Self Help Group (SHG) from Khunta block in Mayurbhanj district, has paid a heavy price for speaking against the Odisha government during a rally in Bhubaneswar recently. On September 11, Bharati Singh along with other members had come to Bhubaneswar for a rally and spoke against the 5T Secretary VK Pandian and the governance system.
After her statements went viral on social media, she has been suspended from the job, alleged Bharati on Saturday.
In her suspension, the authorities have cited that her conduct and work were not satisfactory along with other irregularities. It is to be mentioned here that Bharati Singh was earlier awarded at the block and district level for her good performance as a bank mitra.
In her reaction, Bharati Singh said, “Everybody has the right to speak. I admit that the Odisha government has launched the Scooter scheme. We are getting a meagre Rs 6,500 and what will do with it? Whether to repay for the Scooter or look after our family?”
According to Bharati, she had submitted her apology in writing after the authorities had called her to the block. “I was told that I was working as Bank Mitra and why I spoke against 5T Secretary. I had even sought an apology for this. In the letter, the authorities have said that my work is not satisfactory and my conduct towards colleagues is also not good,” said Bharati.
“Apart from this, it has been written that I have not submitted an application for leave and am not regular to work as well. If these were the issues, I could have issued a notice earlier. I had been awarded for my work loan linkage at the block and district level in 2021 and 2022 respectively. I have been working as Bank Mitra since 2018,” said Bharati.
Mamata Jena, Secretary, Bank Mitra Association said, “During the rally, Bharati Singh had made some statements before media. All the statements were for her livelihood and other issues. But the reasons cited like that she is not regular and not conducting field fields for her suspension is illegal. A team from the state today met the senior officials and they have assured to look into the matter in 15 days.
Here’s What Bharati Singh Had Told On September 11, 2023
“5T Secretary is only boasting about the Scooter scheme, Mo Ghara Yojana and announced that salary would be hiked soon. But what happened to such assurance? What is the need of spending so much on 5T Secretary’s visit? The money could have been used for the development of SSG women groups, poor and other developmental works," Bharati had said.
“The SSG Women ate only rice and dal in the field. Pandian sir is visiting districts and what is the value of such visits as till now we have not received any letter of salary hike,” Bharati had told on September 11, 2023.
