Odisha Students walk 20 KMs to complain, Lokayuta asked authorities to reply 

Bhubaneswar: It was reported in the New Indian Express and the Times of India both dated 04.09.2022 under the Caption ‘Students walk 20 kms to complain Hostel Mess and ‘Students take ‘poor food’ plaint to DC’s office respectively that as many as 20 boarders of Mariwada Ashram School run by the ST&SC Development Department, Government of Odisha ,Korukonda Block, District-Malkangiri.

The students scaled the boundary wall of the hostel and walked 20 kms to apprise the officials that the rice meant for the hostel inmates is often sold out by the teachers and the food served to them in the hostel is of poor quality.

Having regard to the genuine grievance of the tribal students who appear to be victims of malpractice and condition in the hostel, Hon’ble Lokayukta deemed it proper to take suo moto cognizance of the matter and accordingly has issued notices to Collector,Malkangiri Project Administrator, ITDA, Malkangiri, District Welfare Officer, Malkangiri and  HM,  Mariwada Ashram School ,Malkangiri alongwith a copy of the newspaper reporting by registered post with AD who shall file their reply within 6 weeks.  Notice has also been issued in this context to the Editors of The New Indian Express and The Times of India, both Bhubaneswar edition for information and the matter has also been listed for filing of reply on 26.09.2022 for further orders.