Morung Express News
August 1
DIMAPUR: To the public eye, the anomalies in the distribution of free text books to government schools do raise some serious questions. The imbroglio originated when the Tuensang, Mon Students’ Federation reportedly discovered anomalies in the policy and implementation of distribution of text books. Dr. Shurhozelie, the then Education Minister had earlier notified the public about the scheme through some local dailies. It was alleged that the supplier (M/s Baltek Kohima), had failed to deliver the required amount of books to the schools.
The Education department had declared that altogether 45,237 sets of books were issued to Mon and Tuensang alone while the actual need was for 44,775 sets only. The TMSF, while rebutting the claim, reportedly refused to accept the supplied textbooks and returned the same for not receiving the assured quantity. Sources further revealed that besides Mon and Tuensang, other districts had also not received the full quantity of free textbooks. The Konyak Students’ Union has supported the TMSF in this regard (see table).
State Education Minister, Imkong L. Imchen had announced that an immediate investigation would be undertaken. “There may be some shortage of books between receivers and givers,” he had said. The minister clarified that the free textbooks were made available on the basis of budget provision and not according to the enrolment list of students. The Education department of the State government had held the Deputy Inspector of Schools of some districts responsible for not implementing the scheme according to instructions. A press release issued by the department stated that there were discrepancies in distribution of free textbooks in some districts arising out of errors in parcel packaging where the concerned DIS had not cross checked the actual content in the packages. In addition, the “Not for Sale” labels were not printed on these textbooks which compounded to further confusion.
According to the release, the government had sanctioned an additional amount of Rs.37 lakh as the initial amount of Rs.1.40 crore earmarked for printing and supply of free textbooks for the year 2004-05 had not been sufficient. The Department stated that it had procured a total set of 1, 61, 586 text books based on the total enrolment of students in the State.
The government has appointed an officer in the Directorate to investigate into the allegations made by the TMSF in this regard. However, it remains to be seen whether a clear picture will emerge after the investigation.
