Kendrapara News: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Oct 30: The Odisha government announced on Wednesday the removal of Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Snehalata Sahoo from her position in Kendrapara’s Derabish block. This decision aims to facilitate an impartial investigation into allegations of harassment against her. The move follows a distressing claim made by 26-year-old Barsha Priyadarshini Mohapatra, a junior revenue assistant for the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) project, who reported that she lost her baby after being denied leave while experiencing severe labor pains at work.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Pardida directed Kendrapara Collector Smruti Ranjan Pradhan to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report promptly. In a post on X, she emphasized the need for an independent and swift inquiry, stating that action would be taken based on the findings.
Barsha alleged that Sahoo dismissed her leave request while she was in her seventh month of pregnancy and failed to assist her when she required medical attention. After her family took her to a private hospital in Kendrapada, an ultrasound confirmed that her baby had died.
Barsha’s family accused the CDPO of negligence, a claim that Sahoo has denied. Furthermore, Barsha has filed a formal complaint with the district collector, attributing her loss to “mental harassment and gross negligence” and demanding strict disciplinary action against the CDPO.
