Odisha officer dances at brother’s marriage procession, violating Covid-19 guidelines

A woman Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer was found dancing at the marriage function of her brother violating the Covid-19 lockdown guidelines imposed by the state government in the wake of surge in coronavirus cases across Odisha.

The woman officer dancing at the marriage procession of her brother came to the fore through social media platform prompting Jajpur District Collector, Chakravarti Singh Rathore, to say: “The woman tehsildar is on leave right now. Once she joins, an explanation will be called. Based on the explanation, a further course of action will be decided.”

The District Collector said this is not the time for anyone to violate Covid lockdown guidelines. “Be it an officer or the public. All should have some rationality in their approach,” he added.

The woman officer was working as tehsildar of Sukinda. She was found in video dancing without having face mask or social distancing at a time when the state government has completely banned marriage processions and made a ceiling of 25 participants to attend such an event.

The woman officer was also assigned the responsibility to impose the Covid-19 guidelines and ensure that the general public abide by the rules.

The woman officer, was, however, not immediately, available for comment. Though the woman officer was working in Jajpur district, she had gone to attend the barat of her brother in nearby Jagannathpur village under Tirtol block of Jagatsinghpur district on May 21.

Throwing Covid restriction guidelines out of the window, the marriage procession was held during the night.

Earlier an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police of Panikoili police station in Jajpur district was suspended after a video showing four cops including a woman home guard in uniform dancing to the tunes of Odia songs inside Panikoili police station went viral on social media last month.