Govt Schoolteacher In Odisha Takes One-Day Leave To Work As Labourer; Know Why

Balangir: A government schoolteacher in Odisha’s Balangir was seen working in a field after taking a day off from work on Thursday.

The reason: Non-payment of salary for three months.

Prabhudatta Sahoo, a teacher in Government Primary School at Bandhanbahal village in Puintala block, applied for a one-day leave to work as a labourer.

In his leave application to the headmaster of the school, he mentioned about non-payment of salary and financial constraints, which left him with no option but to work as a daily labourer for Rs 300 a day to support his family. His leave was also granted by the headmaster.

“There is nothing to feel ashamed about working in the field. People need to adopt to situation. I was left with no option since the salary has not been deposited in my account since December,” he told a local channel.

Sahoo belongs to Odisha State Assistant Teachers cadre (ex-cadre).

Sources said that salaries of 72 such teachers was delayed due to technical snags in digiGOV website. “This problem is not limited to Sahoo alone. Teachers of ex-cadre throughout the state faced salary delays. We have already cleared the salary for December which they can draw from Friday onwards. The rest amount will be processed soon,” said District Education Officer Pradeep Nag.