Salaries of 11 BEOs withheld for lapses in plantation drive
The action was reportedly taken due to negligence in monitoring the plantation drive titled "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which is being conducted in various schools under the jurisdiction of each BEO.
Pradeep Kumar Nag, DEO, issued a directive on Tuesday to withhold the salaries of the BEOs of Puintala, Agalpur (with additional charge of Loisinga), Deogaon, Gudvela, Turekela, Muribahal, Bangomunda, Patnagarh, Titilagarh, Saintala and Belpara (with additional charge of Khaprakhol), until further notice.
He further stated that salary bills of the concerned BEOs would not be processed unless they achieved 100% of the plantation targets in their respective educational institutions. "The notice was served on July 29, and I had instructed them to complete the target by the end of July to avoid disciplinary action. I am hopeful the target number of trees will be planted within the next two days," said Nag.
The plantation initiative is part of a joint campaign by the state and central govts to enhance green cover in educational institutions.
BEOs are responsible for supervising the drive in coordination with school staff and students. According to the DEO, despite repeated instructions and communications, the BEOs failed to meet the expected target in the plantation drive, especially when compared to other districts.
He held the BEOs accountable for poor performance, citing inadequate supervision and lack of effective monitoring.
"We have already covered all high schools and upper primary schools and planted the required number of trees. The digital registration process of each planted tree will be completed by Thursday. We met the expenditure of sapling purchase and other materials through the eco-clubs of the schools and the school administration," said Shankar Prasad Majhi, BEO, Patnagarh.
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