ALLEGATIONS OF CRORES OF RUPEES IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

ALLEGATIONS OF CRORES OF RUPEES IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

8-MARCH-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR--------------------------The political atmosphere in Buxar district has heated up over the alleged extortion and financial irregularities in the Education Department. On Saturday, BJP district spokesperson Deepak Pandey held a press conference and leveled serious allegations against local MP Sudhakar Singh and demanded an impartial and high-level investigation into the entire matter.

In the press conference, Deepak Pandey stated that according to a letter received from the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry under the Right to Information (RTI), there is no legal provision for Lok Sabha MPs to appoint an authorized representative for any department in their constituency. Despite this, MP Sudhakar Singh, through letter number BXR/138 dated December 28, 2024, wrote to the District Education Officer, naming Arvind Kumar Singh as his authorized representative, which raises serious questions.

Deepak Pandey alleged that, under the alleged patronage of the MP, Arvind Kumar Singh and his associate Ajay Singh illegally extort between three and seven thousand rupees per month from teachers and other employees employed in the Education Department. He claimed that FIRs have been filed against the two in various police stations in the district, and that numerous incidents of pressure and assault on officials and teachers have been reported.

He stated that several officials in the District Education Department have filed written complaints against their activities. Former District Education Officer Amarendra Pandey also filed a complaint with the administration alleging death threats. Despite this, the lack of concrete action at any level is a matter of concern.

During the press conference, Deepak Pandey also alleged that, using his alleged influence, Arvind Singh has obtained government contracts worth crores of rupees related to schemes such as bench-desk supply, mid-day meal materials, utensils distribution, and tool kits within the Education Department. He stated that an impartial investigation into these allegations could uncover widespread financial irregularities.

Referring to another serious allegation in the case, Deepak Pandey said that irregularities have also been discovered in a tender involving a company called First Idea Digital Applications. The allegation is that a tender was submitted in the name of one company, and crores of rupees were paid through an agreement with another company with a similar name, First Idea Digital Applications.

He said that MP Sudhakar Singh consistently spoke out in favor of this company in DSHA meetings and even advocated for it in writing before the district magistrate. Therefore, if there were irregularities in the tender process, it is a very serious matter and should be thoroughly investigated.

The BJP spokesperson claimed that there are also reports of funds being transferred from the company's account to the accounts of Arvind Singh and his relatives. He said that if this fact is true, it makes the entire matter even more serious.

The BJP spokesperson said that if such a system of extortion and corruption is active in a sensitive field like education, it is a matter of concern for the entire society. He stated clearly that he will not remain silent on this issue.

In the press conference, he stated that he will raise this entire matter with the state government. He will inform the Education Minister and the Chief Minister and demand a high-level, impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind the alleged extortion system and financial irregularities in the Education Department.

Deepak Pandey also demanded that an independent agency investigate the entire matter, investigate the alleged extortion and financial transactions, and take strict legal action against those found guilty. He also demanded a special audit of the payments made to First Idea Digital Applications.

Following the press conference, discussion regarding this matter has intensified in the district's political circles. Now, it remains to be seen what action the administration and government take on this serious allegation.