Civic schools getting poor supplies, alleges Sena corporator

NAVI MUMBAI: The civic administration was slammed at the general body meeting on Wednesday for providing substandard raincoats, bags and other poor quality items to students at NMMC-run schools.
Shiv Sena corporator Kishor Patkar made the allegation when the civic administration was seeking approval to purchase the school items. The corporator had bought samples of school bags and raincoat, which are to be distributed to civic schools for the next academic year.
“Inferior raincoats and school bags available in the market at Rs 100 are being purchased from contractors for Rs 500,” said Patkar. The corporator alleged that similar malpractices are also taking place in the case of school uniforms and food items provided to civic schools.
“Two pairs of socks and the canvas shoes provided by NMMC are more costly than the branded gear supplied in private schools,” he added.
Mayor Sudhakar Sonawane said that an inquiry would be held. “The samples will be tested for quality in the lab. If proven to be of poor quality, the contract will be cancelled. The samples will also be shown to the house for transparency,” he added. Around 30,905 civic students will get school items at the cost of Rs 33.70 crore. Out of this, Rs 1.22 crore and Rs 1.72 crore will be spent on raincoats and school bags for the next academic year.