ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONN ON HOUSEKEEPIGN SCAM: FIRST IDEA’S SELECTION CANCELLED

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONN ON HOUSEKEEPIGN SCAM: FIRST IDEA’S SELECTION CANCELLED

19-DEC-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-------------------------The long-running dispute over housekeeping services in government schools of Buxar district has reached a decisive point. The continuous questioning and campaign by Keshav Times, backed by facts, has yielded significant results. The district administration has cancelled the selection of M/s First Idea Digital Applications Private Limited, the housekeeping agency selected through irregular means, and removed it from the work. The agency M/s JKSB Skills India Private Limited, which was duly selected through the tender process, has been reinstated to carry out the cleaning work in Dumraon, Nawanagar, and Itarhi blocks.

The long-running dispute over housekeeping services in government schools of Buxar district has reached a decisive point. The continuous questioning and campaign by Keshav Times, backed by facts, has yielded significant results. The district administration has cancelled the selection of M/s First Idea Digital Applications Private Limited, the housekeeping agency selected through irregular means, and removed it from the work. The agency M/s JKSB Skills India Private Limited, which was duly selected through the tender process, has been reinstated to carry out the cleaning work in Dumraon, Nawanagar, and Itarhi blocks. This decision is not only considered a victory for administrative transparency but also raises serious questions about the alleged nexus between active mafia elements and officials in the education department.

In fact, in 2023, under a state-level tender, JKSB Skills India Private Limited was awarded the contract for cleaning government schools in Buxar, Chausa, Nawanagar, Itarhi, and Dumraon blocks of Buxar district. The agency had already started the work, and a formal agreement had been signed. Meanwhile, in November 2023, the then District Education Officer, Anil Dwivedi, issued a show-cause notice to JKSB Skills India and RS Enterprises. Surprisingly, even before the show-cause process was completed, and without any statutory order, the work for Dumraon, Nawanagar, and Itarhi blocks was handed over to First Idea Digital. Neither was JKSB's contract terminated, nor was any order issued to relieve them of their duties.

This irregularity in work allocation reached the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting. Following a letter from MP Sudhakar Singh, the District Magistrate constituted a three-member administrative inquiry committee. The investigation revealed the shocking fact that five days before issuing the show-cause notice to JKSB, a letter of consent had already been obtained from First Idea for Dumraon, Nawanagar, and Itarhi, and a work order had also been issued to them. The inquiry report clearly stated that the selection of First Idea was completely against the rules and violated the principles of natural justice. There was neither any solid basis for the work allocation nor any valid documentation.

Throughout this entire affair, Keshav Times consistently published factual reports and raised questions about who was protecting and benefiting an agency that hadn't even participated in the tender process, by flouting the rules. Following media pressure and intervention from public representatives, the administration was forced to conduct an inquiry and take action.

According to sources, serious allegations have also been leveled against the alleged education mafia, Ajay Singh and Arvind Singh, regarding their role in this entire scheme. It is alleged that under their pressure, departmental officials disregarded the rules and awarded the work to First Idea. Although the order does not directly name them, the action taken makes it clear that the matter is not merely one of administrative negligence, but of a well-planned conspiracy. -- DEO's strict order, action to be taken against the culprits

District Education Officer Sandeep Ranjan, in an order issued vide memo number 1007, dated December 16, 2025, has canceled the agreement with First Idea and directed that the work be reassigned to JKSB Skills India. The order also clarifies that if First Idea has performed satisfactorily during any period, payment will be considered as per rules. Most importantly, the DEO has ordered the identification of officers and personnel involved in irregularities in the work allocation and directed that action be taken against them within a week. This indicates that more significant administrative steps may be taken in the education department in the coming days. Meanwhile, departmental sources say that the role of the then District Education Officer Anil Kumar Dwivedi and DPO Nazish Ali is considered suspicious in this matter. Now it remains to be seen what action the department takes against the guilty officers.

This entire episode is proof that when the media plays a vigilant role in the public interest and public representatives raise their voices, the system is forced to be accountable. This impact of Keshav Times is not only a victory for transparency in the education system but also a strong message for those officers and mafias who consider themselves above the rules.