Pune Mirror: Pune: Friday,
4 October 2024.
A few months ago, a Right to Information (RTI) query seeking details of these corrupt officers and employees was rejected on the basis that no personal details could be disclosed about them
Allegations are rife that
the state education commissioner is protecting around 30-35 officers, teachers,
and employees of the department, who were involved in various cases of
corruption. It is being questioned why the action taken report has not been submitted
to the state government even after the commissioner was asked to do so months
ago.
Education commissioner Suraj Mandhare had written a letter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), in June 2023, requesting the agency to investigate openly the teachers as well as the officials of the education department involved in corruption. He had sent the list of the corrupt staffers to the ACB soon after he took charge of his office.
A few months ago, a Right to Information (RTI) query seeking details of these corrupt officers and employees was rejected on the basis that no personal details could be disclosed about them.
Social activists allege that the education department is protecting these corrupt officers and teachers and sources from the department suggest that money has changed hands to suppress their names.
An official from the department, on the condition of anonymity, said, “The corrupt teachers and officials have paid bribes amounting to Rs 25-30 crore to certain officers in the department to suppress the matter.”
The RTI application, filed by activist Rahul Bharati, sought a copy of the letter sent to the ACB revealing the exact number of officers and what action was taken against them. However, in his reply, the education commissioner stated that the details could not be furnished under section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act. This has created an atmosphere of doubt around the whole episode. Social activists demand that commissioner Mandhare must clarify this.
Speaking to Pune Times Mirror, Bharati said, “I had applied under the RTI Act and demanded a copy of the letter sent to the SP (ACB). I sought details such as the number of teachers and officers probed by the ACB and action taken against the guilty. I received a shocking reply from the state education commissioner's office refusing to share the letter and other details. The letter should be made public and the commissioner should clarify this. I also demanded to share the action taken report but the commissioner’s office has not done so.”
Following the education commissioner’s letter to the ACB, it was expected that the bribe-takers from the education department would be punished. However, there has been no official communication regarding ACB action to date. The commissioner also refused to share the action taken report (ATR) and said further action would be taken by ACB.
Education commissioner Mandhare was not available for comment.
A few months ago, a Right to Information (RTI) query seeking details of these corrupt officers and employees was rejected on the basis that no personal details could be disclosed about them
Education commissioner Suraj Mandhare had written a letter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), in June 2023, requesting the agency to investigate openly the teachers as well as the officials of the education department involved in corruption. He had sent the list of the corrupt staffers to the ACB soon after he took charge of his office.
A few months ago, a Right to Information (RTI) query seeking details of these corrupt officers and employees was rejected on the basis that no personal details could be disclosed about them.
Social activists allege that the education department is protecting these corrupt officers and teachers and sources from the department suggest that money has changed hands to suppress their names.
An official from the department, on the condition of anonymity, said, “The corrupt teachers and officials have paid bribes amounting to Rs 25-30 crore to certain officers in the department to suppress the matter.”
The RTI application, filed by activist Rahul Bharati, sought a copy of the letter sent to the ACB revealing the exact number of officers and what action was taken against them. However, in his reply, the education commissioner stated that the details could not be furnished under section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act. This has created an atmosphere of doubt around the whole episode. Social activists demand that commissioner Mandhare must clarify this.
Speaking to Pune Times Mirror, Bharati said, “I had applied under the RTI Act and demanded a copy of the letter sent to the SP (ACB). I sought details such as the number of teachers and officers probed by the ACB and action taken against the guilty. I received a shocking reply from the state education commissioner's office refusing to share the letter and other details. The letter should be made public and the commissioner should clarify this. I also demanded to share the action taken report but the commissioner’s office has not done so.”
Following the education commissioner’s letter to the ACB, it was expected that the bribe-takers from the education department would be punished. However, there has been no official communication regarding ACB action to date. The commissioner also refused to share the action taken report (ATR) and said further action would be taken by ACB.
Education commissioner Mandhare was not available for comment.
.JPG)
.JPG)
