MP minister wants saffron magazine in every child8217;s bag

If Madhya Pradesh Education Minister Archana Chitnis had her way she would ensure that every child in the country reads a childrens magazine published by an RSS-affiliated trust.

It does not matter to her that the Lokayukta is probing an alleged corruption in the supply of Devputra magazine to government schools in the state and that the Centre has reportedly objected to the diversion of funds under the Sarva Shikha Abhiyan. If the BJP-led coalition comes to power at the Centre,I will see to it that every child gets a copy of Devputra, the minister said in response to a complaint made by the opposition Congress to the local office of the CBI in Bhopal on Monday,accusing the BJP government of flouting every rule in choosing the RSS-affiliated trust.

The complaint alleged that an amount of Rs 13.20 crore was paid to an Indore-based trust headed by senior RSS functionary Krishna Kumar Ashthana from a centrally funded scheme meant to develop reading skills in students of Classes 1 and 2.

The money was paid in advance for lifelong subscription of the periodical whose two copies are being sent to over a lakh primary schools in Madhya Pradesh.

While submitting a copy of the correspondence in the matter to the CBI,Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh alleged that the deal was inked despite objections by bureaucrats in the education department. He alleged that government notesheets were tampered with to see the deal through.