OTV Impact: Boudh DRCS suspended over foreign trip along with 3 PACS secretaries

The Odisha government suspended the Boudh District Registrar of Cooperative Societies (DRCS), Girish Chandra Purohit, along with three Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) secretaries. The action was taken after it was revealed that they had travelled abroad on medical leave during a crucial period for farmers. The suspension order was issued on Thursday following an investigation, with the Governor of Odisha approving the disciplinary action under Odisha Administrative Service Rule 1, Sub-rule 12.

Action After OTV Expose

The development comes after a report on OTV highlighted how the officials had gone on a foreign vacation despite being responsible for overseeing farmer registration and fertiliser distribution. Viral photographs on social media showed the DRCS and PACS secretaries holidaying in Thailand between August 8 and 11, at a time when farmers in Odisha were allegedly struggling due to delays in registration and fertiliser allocation.

Secretaries Also Face Action

Altogether, six PACS secretaries from Sonepur and Boudh districts had accompanied the DRCS on the trip, sponsored by a private company. Three of them, from Sonepur district, were suspended immediately after an internal inquiry confirmed misuse of medical leave. In Boudh, however, action was delayed as the DRCS himself was among those vacationing.

Strict Terms Of  Suspension

In the order, it was stated that while under suspension, Girish Chandra Purohit must report to the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) office in Bhubaneswar. He has been barred from leaving headquarters without the permission of the RCS.

The incident has sparked sharp criticism from farmer groups, who pointed out that the officials neglected their duties during peak agricultural operations, leaving cultivators without timely access to fertiliser and registration support.