Shimla : The CPIM on Saturday demanded a police inquiry into the purchase of books worth Rs 4 crore by the Himachal Pradesh government agencies .
CPM leader Tikender Panwar alleged that the state project director(SPD) and the Sarv Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) are directly involved and that heavy kickbacks may have been paid to the education ministry .
“These contracts have been made in the guise of first come first serve basis and not on the relative strength of the tenders ,†Panwar said .
The CPM has further alleged that the whole episode of distribution of contracts smacks of deep rooted connivance of the officials of the education department and the BJP leadership with the contractors who have been arbitrarily awarded the contract .
The party has asked the vigilance department to immediately intervene and bring out the facts .
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
