Odisha: Pregnant government employee in labour denied leave, loses baby

NEW DELHI: A government worker in Odisha, aged 26, alleged she suffered a miscarriage after her supervisor denied her leave during severe labor pain at her workplace in Kendrapara district.

The case surfaced on Tuesday when Barsha Priyadarshini, the affected employee, disclosed her experience to media outlets, though the event, she said, occurred on October 25.

Barsha, who works at the Women and Child Development Department in Derabish block, was seven months pregnant when she experienced intense pain during work hours, news agency PTI reported.

According to her account, CDPO Snehalata Sahoo and other officials disregarded her requests for hospital assistance. She stated that Snehalata treated her poorly during this time.

Subsequently, her family members transported her to a private medical facility in Kendrapara, where medical tests confirmed her unborn child's death.

She submitted a formal complaint to the district collector, attributing her loss to "mental harassment and gross negligence" by the CDPO and requested strict disciplinary measures against Sahoo.

Additional District Magistrate Nilu Mohapatra stated, "After getting the complaint, the district administration has directed the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) to submit a report after investigating the matter. After getting the report, we will take action."

Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida addressed the situation on X, stating she had discussed the incident with Kendrapara's collector and ordered an immediate detailed investigation with a report submission.


The CDPO responded to the allegations by stating she had no knowledge of Barsha's condition.

DSWO Manorama Swain of Kendrapara stated, "A committee will be formed to investigate the matter. After that, we will submit our report."

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