Puri, Jan 22: The District Education Officer (DEO) of Puri, Deepak Padhi, has taken stern action against 72 headmasters and headmistresses of secondary and elementary schools in the Puri Education District by ordering the suspension of their salaries. The suspension follows their failure to submit reports on the snakebite and lightning awareness campaigns that were to be conducted at the village level.

Last year, the state provided Rs 4,500 to each headmaster to organize awareness campaigns on lightning strikes and snakebites during the monsoon season. Despite receiving the funds, the headmasters failed to hold the awareness camps or report their activities to the concerned authorities. This non-compliance has led to the suspension of their January 2026 salaries.

In an official letter issued to the headmasters, DEO Deepak Padhi stated: "I am to inform you that the salary of H.Ms (as per list enclosed in a separate sheet) for January 2026 is hereby held up until further order due to non-submission of UCs for Lightning Awareness Programme & Snake Bite Death Reduction Programme after several reminders."

The decision comes after multiple reminders were issued to the headmasters, and it highlights the importance of accountability in executing important public health and safety initiatives. The DEO's move is expected to reinforce the need for responsibility among educational leaders in ensuring the success of such community outreach programs.