A FORMAL inquiry has been initiated into procurement undertaken by the Surguja Education Department during the 2024 Lok Sabha election period, after allegations surfaced that several purchases were processed while the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force. The scrutiny covers furniture supplies, science practical materials and components of the free Saraswati Cycle Scheme.

 

The Joint Director, Education, Surguja Division, has directed the District Education Officer, Ambikapur, to furnish a complete set of records to ascertain whether the purchases adhered to statutory and procedural norms. The issue gained wider public attention after ‘The Hitavada’ reported the matter in its Cityline front-page edition of October 31, 2025. The report highlighted concerns raised by RTI activist Parvez Alam Gandhi, who had questioned approvals, justification of demand, and timing of the purchases.

 

Following the publication, the department began reviewing relevant files, leading to the issuance of a formal probe order. The directive dated December 1 states that the allegations are serious and require transparent and time-bound scrutiny. It calls for authenticated copies of government guidelines, administrative sanctions and financial approvals for the 2024-25 cycle of purchases.

 

The District Education Officer has been asked to submit institution-wise demand letters, correspondence authorising procurement and allocation orders issued for the three categories of material. A key component of the probe is verification of the district procurement committee’s role. The Joint Director has sought the verified list of committee members, minutes of meetings and records of decisions taken on vendor selection. Documents related to advertisements or notices issued for procurement, supplier submissions registered with CSIDC and validity certificates of enlisted firms must also be produced.

 

The inquiry will examine all supply-related documentation, including issued purchase orders, supplier bills, quality verification reports, stock registers maintained in schools, cash books, passbook extracts and receipts of distribution. Photographs of material delivery, inward and outward registers and processed note sheets form part of the mandatory document set. Compliance reports for administrative approval clauses 3, 5, 6 and 8 have been specifically asked for. A follow-up communication on December 2 confirms that a copy of the directive has been forwarded to complainant Parvez Alam Gandhi.

 

Officials said the 26-point documentation checklist would enable cross-verification of procurement claims with actual material availability and with entries recorded on CMIS and DSA portals. “The inquiry is expected to reconstruct the entire purchasing sequence to determine whether procedures were followed and whether approvals existed during enforcement of the Model Code, marking the beginning of a detailed fact-finding exercise,” commented RTI activist Parvez Alam Gandhi while talking to The Hitavada over phone