The BMC, which had launched the distribution of free of cost educational items amidst much fanfare, has been accused of giving substandard items to civic students.
This year, the BMC announced that the educational items would be distributed on the first day of the opening of school.
However, NCP’s Kurla corporator Dr Saeeda Khan raised questions over their quality. “The contractors had promised to supply quality material, but students in the HP Kirloskar Municipal School in ward no 161 received damaged water bottles and school bags. Further, the materials supplied were not according to their requirements. Some of the boys were given small size shoes, while some of the students were not given pencils and notebooks.”
Dr Khan called upon civic chief Sitaram Kunte and produced the damaged items before him. She also demanded an inquiry into the matter.
In a bid to provide aid to poor and needy children, the BMC distributes 27 educational accessories, which includes uniforms, books, a bag, a raincoat, shoes, a tiffin box etc to all civic students. However, the scheme has always been mired in controversy due to allegations of distribution of poor quality material.
There have also been cases of students not getting these items on time.
When contacted, BMC chief Sitaram Kunte said, “A probe will be conducted by the deputy municipal commissioner and if found guilty, action would be taken against the contractors.” Meanwhile, mayor Sunil Prabhu directed the civic administration to complete the entire distribution within a week.