action initiated against offocials on teacher suicide case

Hubli, Apr 7 (UNI) Karnataka Primary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti today ordered action against the officials responsible for an alleged suicide attempt by a lady teacher of Venkatapur village in Gadag district.

Talking to newsmen here, after visiting the lady teacher, who is undergoing treatment at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences here with 90 per cent burns, he said he has also ordered the merger of the school in which the teacher was serving with the main school of the village. Lady teacher T Prema set herself ablaze in front of the house of a member of School Development Management Committee (SDMC), who allegedly harassed her, leaving a suicide note on Wednesday last.

''Though several times I complained to the concerned officials about the harassment meted out to me by SDMC member Girish Bhavimani, there was no action. I was left with no option but to commit suicide'', Ms Prema said in the note, which was read to the media by the minister.

Mr Horatti said SDMC member harassed the teacher demanding money and following her everywhere she went. He did not spare her even when she went to answer nature call leading the teacher to take the extreme step.

He said SDMCs were formed as per the Centre's ''Sarva Shikshan Abhiyan'' which have led to the harassment of teachers at several places in the state with politicians taking charge in the committees. The government had moved the court contending that only parents of the students be the members of the SDMCs and the court has upheld the contention.

The minister ordered the concerned to provide every possible treatment to the teacher and the cost would be borne by the education department.

Director of KIMS Dr M G Hiremath, who was present said the teacher was still under critical, but was responding to the treatment.

UNI