The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Official may face action in school uniform issue

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Tuesday, May 03, 2011
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Official may face action in school uniform issue

Special Correspondent

Minister irked at official placing orders with outside agencies

It was proposed to place the orders with weavers through APCO, says Shankar Rao
Orders to be cancelled; complaint to be lodged against Rajiv Vidya Mission official

P. Shankar Rao

HYDERABAD: Minister for Handlooms and Textiles P. Shankar Rao has alleged omissions and commissions in awarding orders to some agencies outside the State for supply of uniforms to government schoolchildren.

Middlemen's offer

Addressing media persons here on Monday, Dr. Shankar Rao disclosed that after he turned down a proposal by some middlemen who offered to pay commission for awarding the bulk of the orders for school uniforms with agencies outside the State, the Rajiv Vidya Mission State Project Director had obliged them without his knowledge.

A substantial amount of Rs.105 crore was sanctioned by the Centre under Right to Education Act for over 76 lakh pairs of school uniforms.

Taking a serious view of the official's decision, the Minister said it was against the assurance given by him on the Floor of the Assembly.

APCO favoured

He had stated that the maximum orders would be placed with weavers through APCO as the nodal agency for helping the impoverished community and also the ‘Darzi' (tailor) community for stitching the uniforms. Though the weavers and tailors were given time till May 30 to supply the uniforms, the official chose to place orders with outside agencies.

Threatening to take action against the official for disregarding his decision that was also endorsed by an all-party meeting, Dr. Shankar Rao said he would press for cancelling the orders placed with the outside agencies ignoring the local weavers in the State.

A complaint would also be lodged with the Vigilance and Enforcement department, he added.

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