HomePoliticsNitesh Rane demands inquiry into school bag tender for BMC schools

Nitesh Rane demands inquiry into school bag tender for BMC schools

Criticises civic body for delay in getting 27 educational materials

@maharashtracity

Mumbai: Lashing at the BMC administration for the delay in distributing 27 educational materials to school children, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has written to the civic body Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal asking to look into the matter. The BJP leader also raised queries over the tendering process for school bags that started in February and is still not finished.

Every year, the students in BMC schools get the 27 types of educational materials on the first day of school. However, the materials have not reached the schools yet when the first day would start on June 13.

“On one hand, the BMC is praising itself for having 35,000 additional students this year in the schools. However, these children are not going to get the material on the first day of school which has remained the tradition since 2007,” said Rane.

He further added that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the schools were online for almost two years and they would be resuming now. “The students would expect the educational material and there are students who would want to join the BMC schools for the material. How do they learn in absence of the material?” the BJP MLA asked.

Pointing at the slowed-down tendering process, Nitesh Rane said that it is pending before the officials for permission. “There was a tender issued in February for school bags. However, till June only clarifications were issued in this regard to favouring the contractor close to a minister. This has forced BMC to issue 14 clarifications/modifications about the tender and the officials involved in the process feel pressurised and helpless,” he said.

Speaking further about the BMC’s failure, Nitesh Rane said the clarifications included a provision to give 20 per cent of work to the SC and the ST community under micro, small and medium industries. “The tender was modified 20 times for a contractor who would get 20 per cent of the work. However, this delayed the entire process and the children would get the bags during the Diwali season. What is the use if they would get the bags when half the academic year is over? How are they going to carry their material to school?” he asked.

The BJP MLA in his letter told the BMC Commissioner to inquire about the matter and take action. “It was necessary for the students to get the school bags on time. However, due to the pressure to favour a contractor, the entire process has been hampered. There has to be some policy while awarding such work to a contractor. You should conduct an inquiry into the matter,” he said.

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