BMC closes coaching institute for violating COVID-19 norms

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday closed a coaching institute in the state capital over violation of COVID-19 guidelines.

The Benchmark Classes located at Nageswar Tangi, which provides coaching classes for engineering and medical aspirants, was conducting a felicitation programme for its students who had successfully cleared the NEET exams, results for which were declared last Friday.

More than 50 students along with their their parents and teachers had congregated for the felicitation programme which was being organized without prior permission from any of Local authorities, said the BMC.

COVID-19 guidelines such as maintaining of social distancing and wearing masks etc. were not being followed during the above programme, putting the lives of young students and their parents at risk.

Upon receiving information, BMC South East Zone authorities reached the spot along with police personnel and found that the coaching centre didn’t take prior permission to organise the programme.

Hence, the centre was closed immediately taking into account the safety of young students as well as their parents, the BMC said.

Besides, the coaching center authorities submitted an undertaking addressed to the Commissioner BMC in this regard rendering an unconditional apology for conducting the program without any prior permission.

“We have closed the coaching institute in view of students safety as it was found violating COVID-19 norms formulated by the Govt. of Odisha and BMC,” said Ansuman Rath, Zonal Deputy Commissioner (South-East), BMC.

While students and their parents were asked to leave the premises immediately, the coaching institute was to remain closed until further orders by the Commissioner BMC, Rath informed.