Wage board members allege inaction

Bhubaneswar: Members of the State Level Minimum Wage Advisory Board on Thursday resigned en masse in protest against the delay in revision of wages for daily labourers. Announcing their decision, the board members, who represent various trade unions, threatened to take to the streets. he board had submitted its recommendations five months ago. The government had also invited public opinion on the proposed wage revision and it has complied with their views long ago. “But, the government is sitting on the matter,” alleged a member of the board.

Student abuse

Bhubaneswar: A section of girl students from Abhin Chandra Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital on Thursday approached the state women’s commission alleging physical harassment by the college authorities. he commission registered the complaint and promised to conduct a probe. The college was earlier in the news after its girl students attacked some teaching faculty members over failing in exams.

One held

Balasore: Local police on Thursday arrested one person for poisoning the water of a pond in Chandipur area which led to fish death. The accused, Ajay Samal, is the vice-chairman of Sadar block in Balasore. Samal had committed the crime over some past feuds, said a source in the police.

Punishment

Jajpur: A student of Sramashakti Uccha Vidyapitha, a government high school in Sukinda block here, was allegedly beaten up by his teacher for failing to answer some questions. The boy’s parents have lodged a complaint with the department of school and mass education after he had to be admitted to a hospital. Jajpur district education officer Kapilendra Mishra has sought a report from the school's headmaster on the incident. “I will take appropriate action after I receive the report,” said Mishra.

Blockade

Berhampur: Local residents on Thursday resorted to road blockade for more than three hours in protest against a road mishap that claimed two lives here on Wednesday. A mother and son (both teachers) were killed near Kukudakhandi after a truck hit their bike on Wednesday. The protesters burnt tyres and demanded arrest of the truck driver. The residents argued that the truck that caused the accident was on the wrong side. Normality was restored after the police promised action.

Murder probe

BHUBANESWAR: Puri police on Thursday made it clear that the murder of Taluchha Bhagwan Mohapatra, a sitting councillor of Puri Municipality, was related to political rivalry and real estate business. The murder’s mastermind, Krushnachandra Padhiari, who is also a servitor of a temple, was taken into police custody for four days.

Bribe net

Sambalpur: Vigilance sleuths on Thursday arrested district employment officer of Deogarh Gobardhan Swain while he was taking a bribe of Rs 3,000. The vigilance sleuths laid a trap after Sanjay Kumar Rana registered a complaint that Swain demanded the amount for executing an agreement to hire his vehicle for official use. The vigilance department has also initiated an investigation into the case.