Nagpur: In a blatant misuse of power, the NMC’s Education Department officials got the tender of Rs 22 lakh awarded to a company having its office in Ganeshpeth, without going in for tender process. As a saving grace, the civic officials have used the guise of rate contract system. The tender was meant for installing CCTV cameras in 25 selected NMC-run schools.
As per the norms, the tender should be floated for any project having this much of budget. On the contrary, NMC officials ditched the rules to pick their pet contractor. Going further, the contractor has installed cameras worth over Rs 13 lakh and the bills for the same have been submitted to NMC’s education department.
An expert pointed out that the cost of coaxial cables mentioned in the bills has been quoted far beyond the prevailing market rates. Moreover, the stock book is also not managed properly. A detailed probe along with social audit has been demanded from NMC Commissioner.
Sources alleged that NMC’s education department has been resorting to ineffective means of improving the quality of education in its schools. However the poor infrastructure and ignorant teachers have been the major hurdles in the way of achieving the goal.
Last month the education department has decided to install CCTV cameras in 25 schools in order to improvise the quality education. However critics felt that such a facility was not at all required. But keeping aside the cause, the officials gave the nod to the work.
