A call attention motion regarding irregularities in purchase of furniture and items of science laboratories for higher secondary schools was moved by Bemetara Congress MLA Ashish Kumar Chhabda on the fifth day of the monsoon session of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Friday. Ashish Kumar Chhabda said in the House that irregularities were found in purchase of furniture for the schools.

 

The office of Bemetara District Education Officer (DEO) had sanctioned Rs 1,61,95,870 for purchase of furniture in the schools. In the procurement of furniture, the norms of Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) were also not followed. The payments were paid by the DEO office for procurement of equipments for science laboratories but the items were not sent to the schools, the MLA claimed in the House. In his reply, School Education Minister Dr Premsai Singh Tekam claimed in the House that the norms of the CSIDC were followed in procurement of furniture and according to the contract with the firm, the laboratory items were procured. After quality examination and physical verification of furniture, payments were paid, the Minister.

 

The MLA raised an objection over the Minister’s reply and said that he had got information that there was no complaint in this case. However, he had made complaints himself in the DEO office in this case. Chhabda claimed that the wrong information was presented by the Minister in the House. The Opposition MLAs also raised their objections over it and demanded the Minister to take action against the concerned officer. On the demand of the Congress MLA, School Education Minister Dr Tekam announced in the House that he has given order to remove Bemetara DEO and he has been attached with the office of Joint Director Durg division.