Cong alleges ‘book scam’, govt forms panel to probe the matter

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh govt has launched an investigation into allegations that the school textbooks, which are meant to be distributed among students free of cost in govt schools, were instead sold to scrap dealers and recycling plants at heavily discounted prices.
The case was unearthed by former Congress MLA Vikas Upadhyay on Sept 15, when he found a significant number of textbooks at a recycling plant in the Silyari region of Raipur district.The books were printed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation programme.
Upadhyay accused the govt of corruption of what he called a "book scam". He alleged, "At a time when children in Chhattisgarh are facing challenges with education, the books meant for them to study are being sold as scrap at throw-away prices. The govt has printed more books than required through private agencies who pocketed crores of rupees. This is a loot of the taxpayers' money."
Free schemes, including the distribution of books, are covered from the money of lakhs of taxpayers, Upadhyay added.
Responding to the allegations, the govt has formed a committee led by Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation managing director Rajendra Katara, along with officials from the education department and district administration to investigate the matter.
"We are investigating the allegations raised, and all other angles will be covered under the probe," Katara told TOI.
Upadhyay, however, has questioned the impartiality of the department under scrutiny being responsible for the inquiry and has suggested that the probe be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a retired high court judge.
The Congress leader further said that millions of books were discarded as waste at a paper mill in Raipur's Silyari. The Congress party has announced its intention to raise this issue in the assembly and has demanded that the govt issue a white paper to clarify the situation surrounding the scandal. They plan to launch a movement to address this matter and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.