GOs call them ‘corrupt’, BEOs boycott uniform distribution in Allahabad

Upset over the language of UP government orders related to alleged corruption in distribution of free school uniforms to students, the Block Education Officers (BEOs) have decided to boycott the distribution process across the state.

While BEOs are not directly associated with the procurement and distribution process of uniform, their boycott could affect the process as they play a vital link between schools and district and divisional level education officials.

The order, dated June 30, issued by additional chief secretary (basic education) Raj Pratap Singh alleged that certain BEOs were trying to pollute the school uniform distribution process by making money.

Another order, dated July 4, issued by joint director (basic) Lalita Pradeep on behalf of director (basic) Sarvendra Vikram Singh also alerted officials against certain BEOs trying to corrupt the new school uniform distribution. It also calls for action against guilty BEOs.

The orders have been sent to all district magistrates, who are also the heads of education project committee.

Insisting that the allegation that they were demanding money from members of school management committees was not acceptable, the BEOs have shot off a letter to basic education minister Anupama Jaiswal on July 1.

They have demanded a corrigendum to the said government orders.

“BEOs have been insulted in these orders and are feeling uneasy with the language used in the GOs. We demand a rebuttal,” said Padmeshwar Maurya, president of ‘Uttar Pradeshiya Vidyalay Nirikshak Sangh,’ the BEOs association, in a letter to minister.

There are 1.78 crore children studying in around 1.60 lakh government schools in UP. This includes 1.14 lakh primary schools (class 1-5) and around 45,714 upper primary schools (class 6-8) who have started receiving these free school uniforms across the state.

The government gives Rs 200 for each set of school uniforms per student with each of the student eligible to receive two sets of these uniforms per academic session.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has on April 3 announced to change the uniform. He had compared the khaki dress with the uniform of homeguards.