Balangir (Odisha)- In a stern move aimed at ensuring accountability in environmental initiatives, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Balangir, Odisha, has ordered the withholding of salaries for eleven Block Education Officers (BEOs) for their reported negligence in carrying out the state government’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation campaign.
According to official sources, these BEOs failed to meet the required targets under the plantation programme during the month of July. Taking serious note of this lapse, DEO Pradeep Nag has formally directed the District Treasury and Sub-Treasury Officers to withhold their salaries until satisfactory progress is demonstrated.
The DEO’s order clearly states that the salary disbursement will resume only when the concerned BEOs show measurable improvements in executing the plantation campaign. The campaign, launched to promote ecological awareness and green cover under a symbolic tribute to motherhood, has been flagged as a priority programme by the state government.
The eleven BEOs who have been penalized include Shyam Meher, Dilip Joshi, Arttatrana Rath, Mamata Mahadik, Namita Rani Bhoi, Baikuntha Sabar, Santanu Padhihari, Gautam Patel, Abhinab Mishra, Shankar Prasad Majhi, and Ratnmay Purohit.
This move is being seen as a warning to other officials involved in grassroots implementation. It reflects the administration’s growing emphasis on accountability and result-driven execution of welfare and environmental projects.
With environmental conservation gaining urgency, the DEO’s decision underscores the importance of sincere participation from all levels of governance.
