Hingoli ZP school headmaster accused of being drunk in classes suspended

With Dipke set to return to Hingoli on Tuesday, the suspension order was issued on Monday evening.

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: A day before Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke’s scheduled visit to Hingoli, the zilla parishad on Monday suspended the headmaster of a primary school in Limbala (Makta) over allegations that he frequently attended school in an inebriated state and neglected teaching duties.District collector Rahul Gupta confirmed that ZP CEO Vivek Gaikwad had suspended Vinod Katke, the headmaster of the ZP primary school.The action comes days after Dipke launched his nationwide “School Theek Karo (fix the schools)” campaign in Hingoli on Saturday. During the visit, students and parents allegedly complained that Katke routinely came to school after consuming alcohol and failed to teach classes.

Dipke subsequently contacted education officials and warned of an agitation if action was not taken against the headmaster.With Dipke set to return to Hingoli on Tuesday, the suspension order was issued on Monday evening.According to the order, villagers alleged that Katke reported to school under the influence of alcohol, did not conduct classes, allowed villagers to teach students without permission and failed to take classes until 3pm after the afternoon recess.

He was also accused of driving students out of classrooms and behaving rudely with students and parents.The order stated that villagers had submitted photographs in support of their complaints.Following the allegations, the ZP served Katke a show-cause notice. However, his explanation was found unsatisfactory.“The explanation submitted by the headmaster was not satisfactory, and he failed to discharge his duties as headmaster,” the order noted. Katke has been suspended under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad District Services Discipline and Appeal Rules, 1964. During the suspension period, his headquarters will be at the panchayat samiti in Pal, and he cannot leave without permission. He will be entitled to a subsistence allowance as per rules.