TNI Bureau: Cracking the whip over the tragic fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has suspended four officials for alleged dereliction of duty.

The move comes in the wake of the March 16 inferno that claimed several lives and triggered serious concerns about fire safety systems and emergency response at one of Odisha’s premier government hospitals.

As per an official communiqué from the Chief Minister’s Office, those placed under suspension are Deputy Fire Officer Prakash Kumar Jena and Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera of the Cuttack Circle, Station Officer Abhinab Prusti posted at SCB Medical College and Hospital, and Assistant Executive Engineer Ranjan Kumar Biswal of the SCB Sub-Division under the General Electrical Division (GED).

Earlier, a high-level fact-finding committee led by the Development Commissioner was constituted to probe the incident and identify lapses that led to the tragedy.
Further action is expected once the inquiry report is submitted.