Mira Bhayandar civic schools: Rs 35 lakh graft alleged in shoe purchase, Rs 160 pair billed at Rs 500

A serious allegation of a Rs 35 lakh irregularity has surfaced in the purchase of shoes for children studying in Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation schools. With corruption alleged in the school supplies meant for children from poor families, the civic body has been stirred, and the matter is being widely discussed among residents.

The new case has emerged while the confusion over the distribution of water bottles is still fresh. There is a demand that the Anti-Corruption Bureau conduct a thorough inquiry directly into the purchase. The issue is being discussed heatedly in civic circles.

The corporation runs 32 schools with about nine thousand students. Since most of them come from ordinary and economically weaker families, the corporation provides them free educational material. This year, the education department floated a tender worth Rs 2 crore 43 lakh 60 thousand for school bags, shoes and socks. The contract went to M/s Navkar Uniform.

Right to Information activist Krishna Gupta has questioned the purchase process. According to his complaint, the corporation paid the contractor Rs 500 for each pair of shoes. But the same shoe costs only Rs 160 a pair if bought directly from the original manufacturer, Sonaxo Footwears Pvt. Ltd. That is a difference of Rs 340 a pair.

Gupta claims that, calculated for the shoes of a total of 10,275 students, the irregularity comes to Rs 34 lakh 93 thousand 500. He has said he made the claim on the basis of bills and documents.

Gupta has alleged that the officials concerned and the contractor colluded to plunder the civic treasury, resulting in this big scam. In a written letter to the municipal commissioner, he has strongly demanded that action be taken against the guilty under the anti-corruption law.

Additional Commissioner for education Sachin Bangar said clearly that the whole matter will be inquired into through the tender committee. He said that if any irregularities are found, a further stern decision will be taken on the commissioner's orders.