Turnwise allocation of text books flouted as Ministers' DO letters do the trick
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 08:
Even as a large number of students have started the new academic session without the requisite number of text books, matter has come to light that a number of Ministers from the Chief Minister to the Education Minister have been issuing DO letters in favour of some book stores to make them jump their turn and receive the text books from the BSEM.
For some book store owners, it makes no business sense to wait for their turns but approach the Ministers close to them and obtain a DO letter or two to get their quota of text books and this was confirmed when The Sangai Express contacted a number of BSEM officials today.
A well placed source said that the private secretary to the Chief Minister issued a DO letter under the name of the Chief Minister to provide the text books from Class VI to VIII to a particular book store.
Though the DO letter was not signed by the Chief Minister, it was nevertheless served on the Secretary of BSEM a few days back.
The BSEM made sure that the DO letter was followed in letter and spirit and the books were provided to the said book store.
Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa also issued a DO letter asking the BSEM to make sure that the text book of a particular subject and some other text books from Class I to VIII were made available to a book store located at Ukhrul.
As the text books sought by the Minister was a huge consignment, BSEM could not provide all the text books on time with the Board informing the Education Minister that they can provide some and not the whole consignment, said the source.
A CPI Minister also issued a DO letter to the BSEM asking that the text books be provided to a particular book store.
The Board Secretary also made it known to the Board employees to honour the DO letter of the said Minister, further said the source.
It is not only the Ministers who have been named but a large number of other Ministers as well as MLAs have also issued DO letters to favour their chosen book stores while issuing the text books.
During a visit to the office of the BSEM Secretary today, this reporter saw a number of Indents accompanied by DO letters from Ministers and MLAs lying around in the office.
Though the text books are sold to the book stores after the Indents are issued, there is no question of waiting for one's turn as a DO letter from any Minister does the trick, said the source further.
Meanwhile as part of the ongoing protest launched by AMSU against the non-availability of text books, Thoubal branch of AMSU organised a sit-in-protest at the district Hqs today.