‘School books found at recycling centre’, Chhattisgarh govt orders probe

Terming it a “book scam”, Upadhyay told The Indian Express, “At a time when children in Chhattisgarh are struggling to study, school books meant for them are being sold in scrap at throw away prices. The government has printed more books than required through private agencies who pocketed crores of rupees. This is a loot of the tax-payers’ money.”

The government has formed a committee for the inquiry led by IAS officer Rajendra Katara, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation, and comprising Dr Yogesh Shivhare, Additional Director of Chhattisgarh Directorate of Public Instructions (DPI), Rakesh Pandey, Divisional Joint Director in Raipur Education division, Prem Prakash Sharma, General Manager in Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation, and officers of district administration nominated by Raipur Collector.

The committee has been directed to file a report at the earliest.

Upadhyay said that it was “unfair that the department under scrutiny has been given the responsibility to investigate the allegations”, and demanded a probe either by the CBI or a retired judge of the High Court.

Asked when the books were printed, at what cost, and how many books were allegedly sold in scrap, Rajendra Katara told The Indian Express, “These are all part of the investigation.”