Bengaluru, Sep 10 (PTI) Karnataka Lokayukta on Thursday ordered a preliminary investigation into allegations that poor quality shoes supplied to government school children this year were torn within a week of use or had their stitching come apart within minutes of being worn.
The action follows reports published in various newspapers alleging that the shoes distributed this year were of inferior quality compared to those supplied last year and that there was corruption in the procurement.
“The said matter is a matter of providing basic amenities to school children, and it is prima-facie seen that Article 21A of the Constitution of India is being violated and the judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court are not being complied with,” the Lokayukta
said in its press note.
Taking note of the reports, Upa Lokayukta Justice K N Phanindra ordered registration of a suo-moto complaint.
Accordingly, complaints have been registered against the concerned Deputy Directors of the School Education Department and Block Education Officers in 15 districts under the jurisdiction of Upalokayukta-1.
The Upalokayukta has directed the Karnataka Lokayukta Superintendent of Police in the respective districts to examine the relevant documents, conduct a preliminary investigation and submit a report along with the documents within two weeks.
The districts covered by the complaints are Gadag, Yadagiri, Mysuru, Bengaluru South (Ramanagara), Kodagu, Bengaluru Urban, Shivamogga, Chikkaballapura, Uttara Kannada, Chamarajanagara, Chitradurga, Chikkamagaluru, Vijayapura and Dharwad. Mysuru figures in two complaints.
The Upalokayukta has also ordered that copies of the order be sent to the concerned district in-charge ministers and the Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education for issuing necessary instructions.
A copy of the order has also been directed to be sent to the Karnataka Chief Minister for information and necessary instructions. PTI GMS SA
