Probe into corruption in book fair

Bhopal, Mar 14 (UNI) School Education Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar today announced in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly that a high-level inquiry would be conducted to ascertain irregularities in the purchase of text book from book fairs.

Replying to Mr Uma Shankar Gupta (BJP), who raised the issue through a call attention notice, Mr Shejwar said that the state-level communication committee had decided in 2004-05 to organise book fair in each district every year to facilitate purchase of text book for schools. Based on the feedback, the Rajya Shiksha Kendra recently decided to discontiue the system of selecting books and the publishers participating in the book fairs.

Mr Gupta contended that normally publishers offered 30 percent discount, but only 10 percent discount was provided in book fairs.

He alleged rampant corruption in purchase of books from book fairs and sought an inquiry.

UNI SP RL GC1704