Textbooks meant for free distribution in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum sold as scrap, probe ordered

Jamshedpur: A district-level inquiry committee has been formed after textbooks meant for free distribution among students in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district were allegedly stolen and sold to a scrap dealer recently, an official statement here on Tuesday said.

The committee has been asked to submit its findings within 48 hours, officials said, adding the incident took place at Chakulia block. Taking cognisance of the matter, the administration has lodged an FIR at Chakulia police station in Ghatsila sub-division.

Bapi Das, a night guard at the Block Resource Centre where the books were kept, has been dismissed from service and taken into police custody for interrogation, the statement said.

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All centres sealed to avoid theft

The district administration has sealed all buildings and schools, where textbooks meant for free distribution among students were stored, to avoid further tampering or theft. Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi has set a 24-hour deadline for the Block Education Extension Officer to come up with a clarification.

Senior officials across the district have been instructed to review the existing book distribution mechanism in their respective blocks and submit reports to the administration. Asked about the number of books missing and the classes for which they were intended, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Ghatsila) Sunil Chandra said, "The District Education Officer (DEO) is currently investigating the matter." However, attempts to contact the DEO for comment were unsuccessful.