Police have arrested a junior teacher of a government school in Odisha’s Ganjam district for allegedly getting the job by producing a fake Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) certificate around eight years ago.

Accused Sibaram Mohanty had initially secured a job as sikhya sahayak and was posted at Sinakhai in Aska block.

Later, he was transferred as a junior teacher to the Government Upper Primary School in Gangapur, police said.

Police made the arrest after Aska block education officer Samineni Giridhara inquired about the genuineness of Mohanty’s educational certificates following a direction from the district education officer (DEO).

As part of the inquiry, Giridhara wrote to the controller of examinations, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, for verification of his BEd certificate on January 10, 2022.

On June 8 this year, the controller of the examinations confirmed there was no certificate issued in his name.

Based on the report of the controller of examinations, Giridhara lodged an FIR against Mohanty on Monday, following which the junior teacher was arrested on charges of cheating, said P.K. Sahoo, inspector in-charge, Aska police.

Odisha rainfall

Odisha has received 171.7 mm of rainfall, 31 per cent less than normal due to the prevalence of a weak monsoon which has affected agricultural activities across the state, the IMD said.

The state received deficient rainfall between June 1 and July 4 compared to the normal of 247.4 mm, it said.

However, Deogarh district recorded 331.8 mm rainfall, the highest in the state during the period, which is 41 per cent more than the normal of 238.9 mm.

Rayagada on the other received the least rainfall of 56.7 mm against the normal of 213.9 mm, marking a departure of 73 per cent during the same period.

Deficient rainfall of 68 per cent and 65 per cent were recorded in Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts respectively. The actual rainfall in the two districts till Monday was 85.6 mm and 78.2 mm respectively.

PTI