Kolkata: The state Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has lodged a case against IAS officer Abhinav Chandra and two WBCS officers, after preliminary reports revealed that they had "bought supplies at exorbitant prices without floating an e-tender".
According to sources, an amount was released to all districts in 2010-2011 under Sarba Siksha Mission to carry out development in Primary and Upper Primary schools, including creation of better infrastructure for libraries and procuring required books.
Similar was the case of Nadia district as well. Chandra was the district magistrate of Nadia during the period.
Despite the district administration giving the initial nod to send money to schools in the district, a direction was given to the bank that it should not be released. Later, a decision was taken to procure cupboards and shelves using the withheld money.
The process of floating e-tender had also started. But finally, the supplies were bought at exorbitant prices and that too without floating an e-tender. The deal was worth Rs 3 crore.
The ACB had initiated a probe in this connection. It had approached the government after getting relevant
documents, seeking permission to start a case against the IAS officer and the two WBCS officers.
ACB started a case in this connection on March 5 after receiving the nod from the government. Chandra could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.