Pandian reviewed the progress of development work at Akhandalamani Temple in Aradi taken up at a cost of Rs 48 crore.

During the visit, he also reviewed the progress of Major projects – Mega PWS Project for Chandbali at a cost of Rs 893 crore; Bhadrak Ring Road at a cost of Rs 100 crore; construction of Integrated Instream Storage Structure at Akhuapada at a cost of Rs 480 crore; construction of New DHH & MCH and 100 Bedded Super Speciality Hospital at Bhadrak at a cost of Rs 164 crore.

The 5T Chairman also reviewed the progress of construction of Chudamuni Harbour in Basudevpur taken up at a cost of Rs. 47 crore; Puruna Bazar to Guzidahara via Maa Bhadrakali Temple at a cost of Rs. 41 crore; and development of Dhamara Jetty at a cost of Rs. 27 crore, official sources said.

Later, Pandian also reviewed the progress of three important bridges – Bridge over Salandi River at Dhanakania, Chandbali at a cost of Rs. 80 crfore; Rail Over Bridge at Kenduapada, Bhandaripokhari at a cost of Rs 55 crore and Bridge over River Mantei at Panchuthikiti, Chandbali at a cost of Rs 52 crore. All the three bridges were received as requests during last visit of Pandian to the district.

Some of the other major projects have also been taken up after the previous visit of Pandian to Bhadrak district when he attended the grievance meetings and took feedback from the public.

Pandian also interacted with the public at Aradi, Asurali and Bhadrak Municipality and received the grievances on various issues and assured early resolution.

They matter came to light on Saturday morning when the teachers and headmistress of Government Primary School at Panijharia in Mahulia Panchayat under Chandbali Police limits of the district came to the school.

They found the doors of the office room and adjacent rooms partially opened and broken locks lying on the ground. Headmistress Urmila Sahu informed the school committee members and the block education office (BEO) about the incident.

On being informed, school chairperson Swarnalata Bej went to the school and reported the matter to the police. She told the media that she was informed by the headmistress about the incident. “Urmila told me that the doors of several rooms including office had been broken open, I went to the school. After verifying the matter personally, I informed the police.”

Besides cash and a few stationery items, some valuable documents had been stolen by the miscreants, said Bej. But she could not say why the miscreants targeted the school.

A team from Chandbali police station went to the school and started an investigation. They suspected that several persons were involved in the loot. They have started inquiry to identify the miscreants.

The man has been identified as Chandan Sahu, a resident of Paramanandpur village under Balipokhari gram panchayat.

According to sources, the father-daughter duo came on a motorcycle and jumped into the river from Akhuapada bridge under Bhandaripokhari block in the district around 9 pm on Wednesday. Chandan’s bike, mobile phone and shoes were found on the bridge.

On being informed, police along with fire brigade personnel reached the spot. However, a search operation could not be launched then due to darkness.

Sources further said that Chandan’s wife had passed away at Surat in Gujarat a months back. The circumstances under which Chandan jumped into river with his daughter is yet to be ascertained.

According to an official release, she had demanded the illegal gratification for appointment of Behera’s relative as Anganwadi worker. The entire bribe money was recovered from the possession of Behera.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches are on at three locations linked to the CDPO and two locations of the supervisor from disproportionate assets angle. A case has also been registered against them under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, at Balasore Vigilance police station, it added.

The candidates for the examination conducted by OSSC created ruckus alleging that the question paper of the recruitment test had been leaked. The aspirants claimed that the seal of the packet containing question papers was found to have been tampered.

The aspirants staged protest at the examination centre at Bhadrak Autonomous College after drawing the attention of the authorities concerned. They claimed that they came out of the exam hall as the authorities at the centre failed to give a satisfactory answer.

The aspirants alleged that the seals of the question paper packets had been broken in all the halls at the centre. Seeking to know as to why the question paper seal was opened, they demanded cancellation of the examination as there is no transparency.

After getting information, senior officials of the district administration and police visited the site and held talks with the protesting candidates.

It may be recalled that OSSC recently cancelled the Junior Engineer (Civil) Main Written examination held on July 16 after the police confirmed that the question papers had leaked. A total of 17 people, including the mastermind behind the racket, have so far been arrested in connection with the question paper leak.