Odisha govt orders inquiry against BDO for misbehaving with migrants

Bhubaneswar, May 14 (IANS) The Odisha government on Thursday ordered an inquiry into an incident of alleged misbehaviour by a Block Development Officer (BDO) with migrant workers in Balasore district.

Panchayati Raj Minister Pratap Jena said that a report has been sought from the Balasore district collector.

Jena said that necessary action will be taken against the officer after the inquiry report is received from the collector.

The move of the state government came after a video, in which the BDO of Baliapal block was seen misbehaving with migrant workers, went viral on social media leading to an outcry among the public.

The migrant workers had returned to Odisha from Surat in Gujarat on Wednesday.

Union MSME Minister Pratap Sarangi, who represents Balasore parliamentary constituency, on Thursday demanded exemplary action against Baliapal BDO Chabbirani Sahoo.

“The behaviour of the BDO is unacceptable. How can a government officer go beyond the official decorum and address the migrant workers as bonded labourers?” he questioned.

In the video, the Baliapal BDO, an Odisha Administrative Officer (OAS), was seen ordering the migrants to “shut up” when they made queries about arrangements made for them

She also allegedly misbehaved with migrant workers when they had asked for water.

–IANS

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