‘Uniforms distributed is more than the number of students’

The CAG report indicated the possibility of 1.24 lakh uniforms being given to ‘non-existing’ children

For the last two academic years, the State government distributed more uniforms than the number of students enrolled in schools. This was one of the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the year ending March 2017.

The CAG report indicated the possibility of excess distribution of uniforms worth ₹1.72 crore in five districts, and that 1.24 lakh were given to ‘non-existing’ children. The five districts where extra uniforms were distributed were Bagalkot, Bengaluru (Rural), Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad and Ramanagara.

The uniforms are distributed under the Vidya Vikasa Yojane for students studying between classes one and 10 in government schools.

The CAG report noted that the number of uniforms for which orders were placed and the grants given for a pair of shoes did not match.

For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Commissioner for Public Instruction placed a purchase order for 52.73 lakh sets of uniforms, and released funds for the purchase of shoes and socks worth ₹47.42 lakh.

However, according to the department’s own database, around 47.45 lakh students were enrolled in government schools in classes one to ten across the State for the same academic year.

The CAG report also pointed out that in the 2016-2017 academic, purchase order for 49.44 lakh uniforms was placed as against a student strength of 46.5 lakh.

“Since the variation between uniforms supplied to districts and U-DISE data was 5,27,182 worth ₹7.27 crore for 2015-16 and 2,94,534 worth ₹4.06 crore for 2016-17, the State government may examine the matter in respect of all districts,” the report stated.

A senior official of the Department of Public Instruction said they are yet to examine the report and initiate an inquiry to look into the lapses.