Probe into LPG stove deal

Raipur, Mar 2 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Prem Prakash Pandey today referred to the Questions and Reference Committee an inquiry into alleged irregularities in purchase of LPG gas stoves under the mid-day meal programme.

The Speaker's direction came after School Education Minister Megharam Sahu failed to give a satisfactory reply to the questions of Mr Devji Bhai Patel (BJP) and Mr Mohammad Akbar (Congress) regarding the conditions laid down in the tender.

Mr Sahu admitted that though LPG gas stoves with ISI mark were to be purchased but Bureau of Indian Standards had later confirmed that ISI certification was not available for stoves which were required.

Mr Patel alleged that stoves of substandard quality were purchased at higher rates while Mr Akbar pointed out that one of the pre-condition in the tender was that supplier of stoves should also be a manufacturer of computers. ''I don't understand what a computer manufactuer has to do with LPG stoves?'', he said.

Referring the matter to the house committee, the Speaker directed to submit its report on the last day of the ongoing budget session.

UNI