Berhampur: Chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) Babita Patro on Friday asked SP (Gajapati) to submit a report to the commission within a week on the death of two girl students of a govt-run-primary school at Rubudisingh village in Nuagada block on Wednesday. The district administration suspended its in-charge headmaster Seto Raika for negligence in duty.Patro, who visited the school for an on-spot inquiry, directed the district education officer (DEO), Gajapati, to conduct a survey to identify unsafe and dilapidated structures on school premises and submit a report to the commission.Two primary school students, Beckyles Raita (10) and Idanti Raita (9), students of Class V and IV respectively, died when an iron grill and column supporting it collapsed while they were climbing the gate. “We have taken suo-motu cognizance of the incident and visited to conduct on-spot inquiry,” she said. “During the discussion with the school authorities we came to know that one of the columns was damaged by the contractor who is now building an additional classroom in the school. I have asked the administration to take action against the contractor,” she said.During her visit to the school, she discussed with the school authorities, police and district administration about the incident and asked them to take precautionary steps so that such unfortunate incidents are not repeated in the future. “Safety of the children is of utmost priority for us and any negligence on it would not be tolerated,” she added.The commission has also visited the homes of the deceased girls. She consoled the family members of the deceased. She also apprised them of the ex-gratia announced by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi.Among others, additional district magistrate (ADM) Phalguni Majhi, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), R.Udayagiri, Rakesh Kumar Sahoo, district education officer (DEO) Mayadhar Sahu, district social welfare officer (DSWO) Minati Dei, BDO, Nuagada Loknath Sabar, district child protection officer (DCPO) Arun Kumar Tripathy and several others attended the meeting. The DEO said an FIR has been lodged against the contractor.
