Rayagada: Controversy has erupted in Rayagada district as 13 government school teachers from the Welfare and Education Departments have recently received doctorate degrees. The sudden awarding of so many doctorates has raised serious questions about their credibility.
Typically, government employees must obtain departmental permission before enrolling in higher education courses or pursuing promotions. When asked about this development, District Welfare Officer Asima Rao confirmed that none of the teachers sought departmental approval through her for either higher education or doctoral studies.
Among the teachers who received doctorates are:
Bhaskar Gamang, Headmaster, Chandrapur Government High School
Pradeep Kumar Choudhury, Agriculture Teacher
Raju Pal, Headmaster, Nehrupanga Ashram School
Dambaru Malabisoi, Chief Sevak, Padabai Sevashram
Prashant Kumar Ratnaloo, Headmaster, Shivapadar Ashram School
Kola Baman Murthy, Headmaster, Ambadola Government High School
Lakshminarayan Pal, Headmaster, Tadmara Government High School
Bibhishan Chichuan, Headmaster, Kereda Government High School
Sanatan Gamang, Assistant Teacher, Tadmara High School
Trinath Kadraka, Teacher, Nishikhal Primary School
Mahendra Bag
Naveen Harijan, Kashipur
Mrutyunjay Satapathy, Ramanaguda
These degrees were awarded by the World Charity Welfare Foundation in association with the American Merit Council during a ceremony at Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. The organization’s letterhead claims a base in New Jersey, USA. It is reported that a wave of interest in such doctorates has swept across undivided Koraput district, with even political figures allegedly not exempt from the trend.
Obtaining a legitimate doctorate degree typically requires higher education, research, and references from recognized universities. Questions have