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Bhubaneswar: Reacting to allegations that heavy work pressure led to the suicide of Rayagada’s District Welfare Officer (DWO), the State government today took stern action and transferred both district collector and the Project Administrator of ITDA.
According to sources, the acting Rayagada district collector Shashibhushan Padhi has been discarded of his duties and transferred to the Health department as the special secretary. Jagannath Mohanty, the additional secretary of the School and Mass Education department will replace him as Rayagada collector.
Similarly, the project administrator of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Gorachand Gamang has been transferred to the District Rural Development Agencies as APD.
Yesterday, political parties took out protests demanding strong action against the officials who abetted the suicide. Congress called for a bandh across Rayagada, while BJP gheraoed the SP office in protest.
Notably, Odisha government ordered a Crime Branch probe into the death of the DWO Dhaneswar Prusty, who allegedly committed suicide by hanging in his office.
The move followed after members of the Opposition created uproar in the State Assembly demanding action against the Rayagada district collector and ITDA as well as sought a reply from chief minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue.
On February 17, Prusty (59) was found hanging from the ceiling. Police have seized a suicide note from the spot.
Prusty’s wife Kamini Sahu alleged that he was under tremendous work pressure after joining as DWO. Prusty was on Monday transferred to Koraput as special officer of ITDA.
Prior to this, Prusty was transferred from Bonai in Sundargarh district to Rayagada as DWO.
