Mira-Bhayandar civic schools: questions over shoes, bottles and uniforms, action against contractor sought

Serious questions have been raised over the purchase and distribution of study materials given to pupils of Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation schools by its education department. It is alleged that tender conditions were not followed in distributing uniforms, shoes, water bottles and other items. A complaint has been made to the civic administration, and action against the contractor concerned has been sought.

According to the information available, a tender of about Rs 8 crore is floated every year for pupils of the civic schools. Uniforms, shoes, water bottles, books and other educational material are given through it. This year the contract to supply the items has been awarded to Navkar company.

It is alleged that several irregularities occurred while the tender was being implemented. The tender is said to provide for different kinds of shoes for boys and girls. It is claimed that boys' shoes should have laces and girls' shoes should have buckles. In reality, about 10,000 children were given the same kind of shoes, it is alleged.

This has raised the question of whether the tender conditions were changed to benefit the contractor. Although the shoes have been distributed, it is alleged that the children have still not received socks. The complaint also states that the type, quality and related conditions for the socks are not clear in the tender.

It is also alleged that the stainless steel water bottles meant for the children have not been received for the past four months. The distribution of uniforms had also been delayed. With questions now raised over the shoes and bottles as well, resentment is being voiced over the functioning of the education department.

The complainants demand that if it is found true that items clearly listed in the tender were not supplied, or that items not matching the conditions were given, responsibility be fixed. They say that if the contractor has broken the conditions, the administration should impose a penalty as per the provisions of the agreement. No concrete action has been taken in the matter so far, so questions have also been raised about the role of civic officials and the contractor. An inquiry has also been sought into whether the contractor is being shielded in violation of the rules.

The administration has also been asked to forfeit the contractor's deposit, impose a penalty and blacklist the company. It is the administration's responsibility to ensure that the thousands of children in civic schools receive their due items on time and of the quality fixed in the tender. A thorough inquiry has therefore been sought into whether the tender conditions were broken and whether there was any financial irregularity in the purchase and distribution of the items. Parents and residents of the city are watching what action will be taken against officials and the contractor if they are found guilty.