Opposition in BMC demands vigilance inquiry

Mumbai, July 18 (UNI) The opposition in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), led by Raj Hans Singh of the Congress, today demanded that a vigilance inquiry should be conducted in the items being distributed in the Corporation schools.

Mr Singh said ''The inquiry is needed as the administration is spending the tax payers' money, and we should see to it that the items given to the students is bought at competitive prices, and the goods reach the students properly.'' The BMC administration and the Education Committee have decided to give school uniforms, raincoats, shoes, compass boxes and other items to the students studying in the Corporation schools from this year in order to attract students to Corporation schools. The kindergarten school students will be provided with chairs and benches, he said.

The Standing Committee members passed the proposal to distribute the items to the students, and agreed to take care that the samples produced in the meeting be supplied to the students.

Waqarunissa Ansari, Congress corporator from suburban Vile Parle, said ''The administration and the local councillors should see to it that the things earmarked for the students should reach them and is not sold on the sly.'' Mr Singh and Vinod Shekhar of Congress said a sample of the school uniforms and other things should be kept with the Municipal Secretary and when the things are distributed to the students, they should be compared with the samples.

Standing Committee chairman Ravindra Waikar promised the level of education will improve in the corporation schools and with the distribution of school items, it will boost the enthusiasm of students.

Additional Municipal Commissioner R A Rajeev admitted that there was a delay in distributing things to the students and added that it will be done at the earliest.

UNI