Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have launched multiple inquiries after controversial paintwork bills from two schools in Shahdol district went viral on social media.
The bills allegedly show that 168 labourers and 65 masons were deployed for applying just four litres of paint at one school, while 275 workers and 150 masons were assigned for 20 litres at another.
Following public outrage, the state’s school education minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh directed the principal secretary and the commissioner of public instructions to initiate an investigation.
Meanwhile, the Shahdol district administration has also ordered a separate probe.
District collector Kedar Singh has appointed Beohari SDM Narendra Singh Dhurvey to conduct the inquiry.
The bills in question are from government schools in Sakandi and Nipaniya villages under Beohari tehsil.
Documents seen by officials suggest that Rs 1.07 lakh was withdrawn for four litres of oil paint at the Sakandi school, while Rs 2.3 lakh was spent for 20 litres at the school in Nipaniya.
“A probe has been ordered, and notices have been issued to the district education officer as well as the principals of the schools. We have also received the probe report for the Sakandi village school,” Shahdol district collector Kedar Singh told TOI.
“Replies to the notices are expected by evening. Even if the construction and repair work is still ongoing, payment for materials can be withdrawn—but payment for labourers can only be made once the work is complete,” he added further.
