Odisha teachers’ recruitment scam: Arrest warrant against Usha Padhee

Cuttack: State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) issued arrest warrant against Odisha cadre IAS officer Usha Padhee in connection with alleged irregularities in primary teachers recruitment.

Hearing two cases related to the teachers’ recruitment scam in Odisha, the state tribunal yesterday directed to arrest the then School & Mass Education Secretary.

According to reports, Odisha Administrative Tribunal on June 28 had asked the government to execute the order issued on May 18, 2012. The tribunal sought personal appearance of government official in next hearing of the case in violation of the order.

During hearing of the cases on Thursday, the petitioners alleged that the SAT order was not followed so far and a review petition has been filed in the High Court.

Hearing the contempt of court case, the SAT bench of Executive Chairman GR Purohit issued arrest warrant against Usha Padhee.

The order came on the petitions filed by Loknath Kar and Rajashree Jena over allegations of primary teachers’ recruitment in Odisha.

Reports said that the state government had scrutinized the gradation list upto 617 positions for primary teachers’ appointment under Salepur Education District in the year 1991. However, Loknath Kar and Rajashree Jena, who were placed in 317 and 514 in the list, were exempted from the recruitment. Alleging scam in the recruitment process, the two had moved to the SAT.

Earlier, arrest warrant was also issued against Padhee on Nov 24, 2015.

Currently, the 1996-batch IAS officer is serving as the Joint Secretary of Department of Civil Aviation since August 2015. She has been given additional charge as the Chairman & Managing Director of Pawan Hans Ltd.