Odisha: OAS officer dances at brother's wedding, violates COVID-19 guidelines
What's the story
An Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer was found dancing at a marriage function of her brother violating the COVID-19 lockdown guidelines imposed by the state government in the wake of a surge in coronavirus cases in the state. A video has surfaced where the officer can be seen dancing without a face mask or social distancing.
Inquiry
An explanation will be sought from the tehsildar: District Collector
The issue came to the fore through a social media platform prompting Jajpur District Collector, Chakravarti Singh Rathore to say, "The tehsildar is on leave right now. Once she joins, an explanation will be sought and further course of action will be decided." The District Collector said, "No one should violate lockdown guidelines. Be it an officer or the public."
COVID-19 guidelines
Not more that 25 people can gather for a wedding
The officer is currently working as tehsildar of Sukinda. She was assigned the responsibility to impose the COVID-19 guidelines in her area and ensure that the general public abides by the rules. For weddings during the lockdown, the Odisha state government has completely banned marriage processions and made a ceiling of 25 participants to attend such an elaborate event.
Incident
Officer worked in Jajpur district; baarat was held in Jagannathpur
The officer, was, however, not immediately, available for comment. Though the officer was working in Jajpur district, she had gone to attend the baarat of her brother in nearby Jagannathpur village under Tirtol block of Jagatsinghpur district on May 21. Throwing COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines to wind, the officer's brother's marriage procession was held during the night.
COVID-19 numbers
India's COVID-19 tally crosses 2.67 crore mark
Odisha reported 11,059 COVID-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours to take the total number to 7,03,441. With 32 deaths registered, the state has recorded 2,516 deaths to date. According to the Union Health Ministry, till Monday morning, India reported a total of 2,67,52,447 COVID-19 cases. The death toll has reached 3,03,720. So far, 2,37,28,011 patients have recovered.