• Source:JND
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The Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister, Rao Uday Pratap Singh, ordered an investigation after a school painting bill worth Rs 1,06,984 went viral on social media, allegedly exposing the bill padding to scam the government.

Along with it, another bill worth Rs 2,31,650 has also surfaced from the same firm, Sudhakar Construction. The bills have signatures and stamps of both the school principals and the District Education Officer.

The case relates to two schools in Sakandi and Nipaniya villages under Beohari tehsil (Sub-Division) in MP's Shahdol district. One of the bills allegedly shows a total of 213 workers, including 168 labourers and 65 masons, with only 4 litres of paint. The bill amounts to Rs 1,06,984.

Another bill of 20 litres of paint mentions 275 workers and 150 masons amounts to Rs 2,31,650. Based on the bills, the amount was withdrawn. The bills triggered a massive public outcry on social media, prompting concerns of bill padding.

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Two probes ordered

Minister Uday Pratap Singh directed the principal secretary and the commissioner of public instructions to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, the Shahdol district administration has also ordered a separate probe into the matter. The Shahdol District Collector has appointed SDM Beohari, Narendra Singh Dhurvey, to conduct the inquiry into the matter. 

The Times of India quoted the Shahdol DC, saying, "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."

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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 Even if the construction and repair work is still ongoing, payment for materials can be withdrawn—but payment for labourers can only be made once the work is complete,” he added.