Villagers lock 5T school in Nabarangpur protesting irregularities in purchase of equipment

A large number of villagers of Dumurimunda under Raighar block in Nabarangpur district along with the members of a school managing committee locked a 5T school at the village alleging massive irregularities in the procurement of equipment meant for students.

As per reports, Indira Gandhi High School, transformed under the 5T initiative of the State government, was to be inaugurated today. However, villagers staged a protest in front of the school by locking the school gate.

According to the protestors, poor quality equipment have been bought for the students and there has been massive corruption in the purchase.

“We want quality equipment to be installed in our school. However, very poor quality of equipment for the students have been purchased. There have been massive irregularities in the purchase. Protesting against the irregularities and the inauguration of the school, we are staging a protest by locking the school gate,” said Dipankar Nandi, a villager.

“Substandard equipment have been brought for the school. When we informed the BDO about the development, he told us that nothing could be done now. We have also written the matter to the Collector, but he has given no response so far. We are staging the protest against the irregularities,” said school managing committee president Kumud Ranjan Biswas.

However, headmaster Ghanashyam Mohanty refuted the allegations brought by the villagers.

“All the equipment have been bought as per the instructions of Raighar BDO Debasish Kar. The same kinds of equipment have been purchased for 15 schools in the block,” said Mohanty.

However, BDO’s comment could not be obtained in this regard.