Odisha Headmaster suspended for selling textbooks to scrap dealer

Rourkela: The Headmaster of a Model school at Sargigarh village under Koida block in Sundargarh district has been suspended for allegedly selling textbooks meant for students of the Government-run educational institution to a scrap dealer.

The stringent action against the accused, Chhanda Charan Singh, was taken by Block Education Officer (BEO) Mohammed Shakeel Rehman following a probe into the allegation.

Reportedly, the Headmaster allegedly sold over 3,000 textbooks of 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic sessions to a scrap dealer. The books were provided by the state Government for students of different classes.

The matter came to fore after few locals spotted a pickup van loaded with such a huge number of textbooks.

Sources said the pickup van had come to the school on April 19. When it was about to leave, the vehicle did not start due to some mechanical glitches. When some locals came forward to push the vehicle, they found a huge stack of books inside it. Upon enquiry, they learnt that Headmaster had sold the books to a scarp dealer.

Later, the locals informed the local administration about the same. Soon after, the BEO reached the spot and initiated an inquiry.

On the direction of District Education Officer (DEO), the BEO placed the Headmaster under suspension for violation of code of conduct.