Bal Bharti Dy Director beaten up by MNS activists

Pune, Jun 11 (UNI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists today went on the rampage, smashing window panes and damaging furniture, and directed their ire against Vasant Kalpande, Deputy Director Bal Bharati, for his alleged role in a scam of scrapping 13 lakh books worth Rs 4 crore.

About 20 activists initially gheraoed Mr Kalpande, former chairman of Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education board, and then beat him up and abused him at the Bal Bharati premises here. They also threw books all a round.

They alleged that Mr Kalpande had ordered the reprinting of 13 lakh books, costing the state exchequer Rs 4 crore.

However, Mr Kalpande denied that he was involved in any scam. He said that the S S C board was solely responsible for the books as there are ''committees'' responsible for proof reading at least 2-3 times before finalising the books.

''I acted only on the direction of the Board that had ordered the reprinting of 13 lakh copies of ''Kumarbharti for X standard,'' he said.

Police arrived on the scene only after Mr Kalpande was roughed up.

Earlier, the MNS activists, led by their district Chief Kishore Shinde shouted slogans and staged a gherao for nearly two hours demanding action against Kalpande. Staffers at Bal Bharti broke down seeing the protestors.

Meanwhile, the BJP City Unit also demanded the resignation of Kalpande and an inquiry into the whole episode. They wanted culprits to be arrested.

Bal Bharti publishes books approved by the State Education Boards. Books are often out of stock at the start of the academic session and after the summer break. However, Mr Kalpande assured that books would be available before June 15 statewide.

UNI