Man’s Suicide Sparks Family’s Blame on Education Department

Quick Summary

• A 47-year-old man,V.T. Shijo, from Athikkayam near Ranni, died by suicide reportedly due to financial stress.
• Shijo worked as field staff in the Agriculture department and was struggling to arrange fees for his son’s engineering collage admission in Tamil Nadu.
• The financial strain stemmed from a 14-year delay and alleged bureaucratic negligence in the disbursement of his wife’s salary.
• Lekha Raveendran,a teacher at an aided school,has not received her salary despite a High Court order directing full payment with arrears before January 2025.
• Family members claim only a meagre amount was paid after court intervention due to delays at the District educational Office (DEO).
• Education Minister V. Sivankutty has requested an urgent report on the matter from the Director of Education.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This tragic case highlights systemic flaws in governance and administrative efficiency, specifically regarding salary disbursement within Kerala’s education sector. Despite clear judicial directives favoring Lekha Raveendran’s salary payment with arrears, bureaucratic hurdles have caused prolonged distress-ultimately leading to devastating personal consequences for her family.The situation underscores serious concerns about accountability within public offices entrusted with managing workers’ payments. financial insecurity amplified by procedural delays not only undermines trust but risks broader implications for mental health and welfare among government employees facing similar situations.Education Minister Sivankutty’s swift action seeking clarity is vital; however, structural reforms are necessary to prevent future occurrences. Implementing streamlined processes for resolving disputes over salaries or benefits could be key in addressing long-term vulnerabilities across departments.

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