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Odisha government faces PMO inquiry over alleged textbook printing irregularities
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has requested a response from the Odisha government following allegations of significant irregularities in the printing and distribution of school textbooks.
Whistleblower and RTI activist Pradip Pradhan filed a complaint alleging a multi-crore scam involving financial misconduct and conflicts of interest. Pradhan claims a deputy director-level official from the government press has been unauthorizedly managing textbook printing since 2022, a role that legally falls under the School and Mass Education Department. The complaint further alleges that the official facilitated lucrative printing and supply contracts through a private agency operated by his wife.
In addition to financial concerns, the whistleblower noted that lapses in quality control resulted in the distribution of error-ridden textbooks to students. This follows disclosures in the State Assembly where School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond confirmed that 1,741 errors were identified in textbooks for Classes 1 to 8. The Union Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy has formally sought a response from Odisha’s state education department to examine these allegations.
Entities
Ministry of Education · Nityanand Gond · Odisha government · Pradip Pradhan · Prime Minister’s Office
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] RTI activist Pradip Pradhan filed a complaint alleging financial irregularities, conflicts of interest, and lapses in the textbook printing process. bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Odisha government identified 1,741 errors in textbooks for Classes 1 to 8. bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in
- [● 3 SOURCES] The official allegedly facilitated printing and supply contracts through a private agency operated by his wife. bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Lapses in quality control led to the distribution of error-filled textbooks to students across Odisha. bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A deputy director-level official from the government press has been managing textbook printing since 2022, despite the responsibility belonging to the School and Mass Education Department. bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education has requested a response from Odisha’s School and Mass Education Department. bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Prime Minister’s Office has sought a response from the Odisha government regarding the alleged irregularities. bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in · www.newindianexpress.com