KV school show-caused for flouting Odisha govt order to extend

Odisha government today issued a show cause notice to the authorities of a Kendriya Vidyalaya school here for allegedly flouting its order to extend summer vacation due to the ongoing heat wave condition in the state.

Special Relief Commissioner(SRC) B P Sethi issued the notice to the principal of KV-1 school after receiving information that the central government institution had reopened despite the state government's order to extend the summer vacation till June 25 due to the heat wave condition.

"It has come to the notice of the government that in utter violation of the direction of the state government, your school continues to hold classes. As a result, young children (students) have been compelled to travel in severe hot and humid condition and attend the classes in such situation. This might have serious implication on the life and health condition of students and others," Sethi said in the notice.

He asked the principal to close the school till June 25 as directed by the state government and explain why action under Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 should not be initiated against him for violating the government order.

The principal has been asked to submit an explanation within three days.

The school authorities were not available for comments on the issue.

Under the provision of the Act anyone convicted for refusing to comply with any direction given by or on behalf of the central government or the state government will be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or with both.

If such obstruction or refusal to comply with the directions results in loss of lives or imminent danger thereof, the convicted will be punishable with imprisonment for a term of up to two years.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier ordered extension of the summer vacation in schools till June 25 in view of the prevailing heat wave condition. They were asked to reopen on June 26.

Accordingly all schools across the state remained closed, allegedly except KV-I here.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik had yesterday wanted to know whether the KVs do not come under the state government's order.