Bengaluru: The state government has ordered a probe into the bicycle purchase scam. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has been instructed to hold a preliminary investigation into the bicycle purchases made since 2008 under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
According to the authorities, every year, around 9 lakh bicycles were bought since the year 2008 as a part of the incentive extended to retain students especially from the weaker sections of society. There was an allegation that rampant corruption prevailed when it came to identifying the beneficiaries and finalising the vendors. The main allegations made were that bicycles were bought at an inflated price and fake students’ documents were created to generate fake orders for the cycles which were later sold in the open market.
“This decision is expected to create problems for a few BJP leaders and the Congress,” said sources privy to the developments.
