In an investigation on dozens of education and district-level officials in Uttar Pradesh, Cobrapost found that  substantial amount of funds allocated by the Centre to the Uttar Pradesh state government to provide uniforms to school children are being siphoned off by District Education Officers, Block Education Officers, and Gram and Nagar Panchayat officials, among others.

Even school teachers and headmasters manage to get a cut of the commission. The investigation began in September, 2014.

In the year, 2013-14, about Rs 710 crore was released to the Uttar Pradesh government by the Centre as grant to provide uniforms to school-going children in villages. It seems a large chunk of this annual grant goes into the pockets of babus of the education department as commission.

During the course of a lengthy investigation in a dozen blocks of six districts in Uttar Pradesh, this correspondent posed as a supplier of school uniforms and met several of officials.

What they had to say, captured on a hidden camera, unearths a huge scam involving District Education Officers, Block Education Officers, Gram Nagar Panchayat officials and many others.

Incidentally, under the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution of India, the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, the government provides free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 years. The main objectives of distribution of free uniforms is to retain children enrolled in schools until the compulsory stage.

The government allocates a budget of Rs 400 per two uniforms per child, but it was revealed during the course of the investigation that most officials buy uniforms at a much cheaper rate and take the remaining money as “commission”. Cobrapost contacted all the officials featured in the investigation before publishing the story asking for their version. Most of them stated out right that they had never met the reporter and denied striking a deal with the reporter. The camera, however, has a different story to tell.

The reporter, during the investigation, meets the following officials.

ML Patel, Block Education Officer of Block Dhaulna in Hapur District

Patel laid out his cards in the very first meeting and tells the correspondent: “Yeh batao aap…teacheron ki demand toh zyada hai…kaise hoga? 50-60 toh wohi maang rahe hai…pichle saal bhi kiya tha usne woh 100 mein de raha tha… [You tell me…teachers demand more…how can it be done? They are asking for Rs 50-60. Last year, he [supplier] was giving it for Rs 100].” The correspondent, posing as a supplier, then, asked about the quality. Patel said: “Quality dekh lo aap kaisi aayegi [you have to see what quality it can be].”

Patel, it seems, did not care about the quality of the school uniforms. What he wanted was a fat cut for himself. The correspondent tells him that it will be better if they go for uniforms for Rs 120 each as the quality at a lower cost will be inferior and unpresentable.

During the conversation, it was revealed that last year, school uniforms were supplied for Rs 120 each and a clear margin of Rs 80 was given as commission on each one of them. Patel asks the correspondent to supply uniforms at the same price. Patel says: “100 rupayee mein kar raha tha pichle saal bhi kiya tha… is saal bhi kar raha hai… bas yehi hai aap 120 me do hum ko… [Even last year the supplier did it for Rs 100. He is doing it this year as well. This is the situation… you give it for Rs 120 to us].”

MC Sharma, Block Education Officer of Baraut block in Baghpat

Sharma during the initial stages of the meeting clearly said the commission on each uniform is fixed at Rs 60.

When the reporter told Sharma regarding his purpose of visit, Sharma says: “Yaha ek cheez main bata du aapko… mere yaha poori pardarshita rehti hai…neeche kisi ko nahi batata hu…lekin jo unko milna hai…wo nischit hai… bilkul neeche se upar…top to bottom…hamara pehle kar deenge tay token money ke roop me…phir apna neeche apna karte huye chale jayege…phir jo hoga hisaab… aapke aur hamare beech mein ho jayega…[Let me tell you one thing. There is a total transparency. I don’t tell the subordinates.  But what they get is fixed. From bottom to top. You will give our token money and pay the juniors as well… then whatever be the calculations… that will be taken care of within both of us].”

He says even school teachers, principals and other officials also get the benefits out of the commission.

Mamta Bharti, Block Education Officer of the Jewar Block in Gautam Budh Nagar

Bharti told the correspondent that the last time each school uniform was bought for Rs 150. The correspondent strikes a deal with Bharti for Rs 140 per uniform. It may be mentioned here again that the government grants Rs 200 per school uniform being procured by a school.

So, Bharti gets Rs 50 as commission for each uniform a school buys. She also asks for an advance commission and says the quality of the uniforms should be good. She also asks the correspondent, who is posing as a supplier, to carry out the business on behalf of two to three firms so that no questions can be raised in case there is an investigation.

About the advance amount, Bharti says: “Aap jitna bhi total ho raha hai…75 per cent mein hi karwa do baki 25 per cent baad mein aa jayega… usme 2-3 firm lagani hogi… basically 31 ke aas paas ka hai…wo 10-10 lakh ka work is tarah divide karna hai hame…10-10 lakh ka kaam teeno firm ko chala jaye [Whatever the total is, you pay us 75 per cent in advance, the rest 25 per cent will be done later. You have to put in two-three firms… the order is of around Rs 31 lakh…we have to divide it in say Rs 10 lakh-10 lakh… all three firms will get work of Rs 10 lakh each].”

When the correspondent posing as a “supplier” assures Bharti that he will pay a token amount as advance commission soon, she assures of all the help to strike the deal.

When we contacted Bharti for her version before the publication of the story, she remembers the earlier meeting with reporter. When the correspondent told her that he was, in fact, a journalist working on this story, she said: “Samjhi nahi meh apki baat [I did not get what you said]. On further questioning, she said, “Nahi. Iskey barey meh mujhey koi baat nahi karni aap se. [No, I don’t want to talk about this to you].”

Furthermore, she called back Cobrapost and said, “Tumse to main mili bhi nahi hun. Aur ye farji kahania bana rahey ho tum [I have never met you before. Alright? And don’t make up fake cases].”

She did not only stop at that and called a third time. She said, “Aap blackmail kar rahey ho! Aap blackmail kar rahey ho! Dhara pata hai na kaun si lagti hai blackmailing ki. Pata hai na? Samajh meh aa rahi hai baat? Nahi main puch rahi hu aap kab aye ho milney ke liye? Accha tumharey paas recorded hai tho fir dekhao tumhara recording? Nahi tho blackmail karogey kisi larki ko? You are black mailing! Larkio ko blackmail karta hai? [You are blackmailing! You are blackmailing! Do you know the section that will be charged under blackmailing? I’m asking when did we meet? Okay, so you have it recorded then show it. Or you will blackmail girls? You are blackmailing! Blackmailing girls],” she said.

Neeraj Kumar Rana, Block Education Officer of Dankaur in Gautambuddh Nagar

Rana agrees to award the contract to the “supplier” but on certain conditions. He openly talks about cuts and commissions: “Kuch margin rehta hai hum logo ka…aap yeh maan kar chaliye lagbhag 150-160 ki range tak aapko milta hai. [There is some margin for us. You can take this into account that the range you get is around Rs. 150-160].”

Rana also warns the correspondent, who is posing as a uniform supplier, that if he doesn’t get his cut the contract may be cancelled. He has done this in the past. Rana says: “Is baar mainey reject kar diya… mainey market se hi reject kara diye… jo paise bheje they… hum logo ne report laga di ki we are not satisfied with this stuff. Co-operation karne walo ke saath hi operation hoti hai…nahi karne walo ke saath nahi hota [I rejected this year. Rejected it from the market itself. The money they sent… we prepared a report that we are not satisfied with this stuff. We only cooperate with the people who cooperate with us].”

Rana adds that giving and taking a commission is normal practice. Rana asks the correspondent to meet him once again so that he can introduce him to other officials and school teachers.

Rana wants an assurance that the quality of the uniforms will be good. He says: “Galti nikalne ke liye nahi nikali jaayegi…quality bahut kharab na ho bas. (We won’t pin-point unnecessarily, the only thing is the quality should not be very inferior).”

Rana also assures the “supplier” of all help regarding recommendation and inspection, if there is one in the future. Rana asks the Cobrapost correspondent to bring two samples the next day so that he can recommend him to schools and officials.

Renu Yadav, Block Education Officer of Razapur Block in Ghaziabad district

Renu Yadav and his secretary, Hanif, lays down his business proposal. Hanif says the going rate for each uniform is Rs 160. He says: “Rs 160 with dupatta… boys ka Rs 150 [Rs 160 with dupatta for girls and for boys Rs 150].”

During the same meeting, Renu Yadav says she has five Nyay Panchayat Resource Centres (NPRC) under her jurisdiction under which almost 10,000 school uniforms are required. She assures all help to the “supplier” to bag the contract. She says: “Hamare NPRC mein kam se kam 10, 000 bacche hai… ek NPRC ki baat kara denge. (There are at least 10, 000 children in our NPRC. I can talk about one NPRC).”

However, Hanif wants an assurance of secrecy. He says: “Behenji ka kahi involvement nahi hona chahiye…bilkul alag rahegi yeh…kyunki dress ka mamla hai…bilkul kahi zikr na ho…[Behenji’s name should not come up. You should keep her separate as this is a matter regarding the supply of dresses. There should be no talks of her].”

The journalist offers each uniform at Rs 160 plus Rs 10 each for Renu Yadav. She readily agrees. “But what about Hanif’s commission?” asks our correspondent? Renu Yadav replies: “Main apna janti hu…inka nahi jaanti [I know about mine. Not about his]. ” She states she will take the commission in cash.

Later, when Cobrapost tried to reach her, she did not respond to our multiple calls.

Vinod Kumar, Block Education Officer of Jani district in Meerut

Vinod Kumar and his deputy Premchand, during the first meeting, make it clear that everything is possible for a commission. He says that a contract to supply uniforms to schools in an entire block cannot be given to one firm. Premchand tells the journalist posing as supplier to give quotations in the name of three firms to cover schools in the entire block.

Like some others, Vinod Kumar also asks for advance commission. In return he will see to it that the correspondent receives prompt payment and there is no delay. He says: “Kuch toh pehley karwa dengay aur jo hai baad mey karna padega… aur hum payment karwa dengay … wo koi dikkat nahi ayegi [You have to pay some in advance and the rest in balance. I will get you the payments done. There is no problem in that].”

Vinod Kumar also offers to get the “supplier” school uniform contracts in other blocks, for a commission. He says: Hum aur bhi karwa deenge. Hamare paas hai jugaad. Bahut bacche hai yaha pe. [I will get some more for you. I have contacts. There are many children out here].”

Premchand wants an advance payment right away.

When our correspondent meets Vinod Kumar again after a few days, he assures him of providing a contract for uniforms for 20-22 more schools under two Nyay Panchayats. He says: “Do nyay panchayat hum aapko dilwa deenge…idhar se Modi nagar se ho jayegi…20-22 school hai…[We will get you two Nyay Panchayats. You will get it from Modi Nagar on this side. There are 20-22 schools altogether].”

Vinod Kumar tells the “supplier” to quote Rs 160 per uniform when he goes to schools.

When our correspondent asks him about the progress on the earlier “contracts”, Vinod Kumar demands another Rs 8 per uniform for the deal. He says: “Aath rupees ek dress par kar do… thodi si understanding rehni chahiye. Bahut zyada nahi lekin hum kar deenge [You keep Rs. 8 per dress. There should be a little understanding. It may not be huge but I will do it].”

Arun Kumar, the Block Education Officer in Hapur Nagar

The correspondent tells Arun Kumar that he wants to strike a deal regarding school uniforms for 18,000 children in his block. Arun Kumar assures all help to the correspondent: “Aisa hai na…isme state level ki bani hui hai taskforce nirikshan ke liye. Toh aisi cheez honi chahiye jisme koi dikkat… [the thing is that there is a task force comprising senior officials of the block, district and state level for inspection. So, the things should be clear so that there are no problems later on…].”

What Arun Kumar wants are good quality uniforms at a cheap price. He says: “Quality jo aisi rahe ki ekdum yeh na kahe ke haan ji bilkul ghatiya kaam kar diya [quality should be good so that nobody can say it is of the poor quality].”

While the government-approved rate for each dress is Rs 200, we quote Rs 130 per dress to Arun Kumar. The correspondent tells him clearly that rest of the amount – Rs 70 per uniform — can be divided as commission among government officials and teachers.

Arun Kumar accepts the offer at once and gives several suggestions on how the deal can be struck without any glitches. He advises the correspondent to divide the billing amount on three different heads to indicate that the uniforms have been done supplied by three different firms.

While the mode of payment for the uniforms is being discussed, the correspondent informs Arun Kumar about how the payment will be made by him.

Arun Kumar explains that he wants the billing to be done by three fictitious firms. When the correspondent asks him whether senior officials will also get a cut in the deals, Arun Kumar says: “Jaate hai lekin wo aisa hai dekho upar wale neeche wale sab chahte hai… kaam bhi ho aur jo khana (purti) uddesh hai uska bhi ullanghan na ho…usme centralize nahi maana jaata… ek hi maal lo… ek hi… pura ek hi bill sab jagah lage to wo to swayam hi siddh ho gaya ki centralize nahi hai…[It goes… see from top to bottom everybody wants it. The work should also be done and all formalities should be adhered to. That will not be considered centralized. If it is on a single bill then it will be automatically be centralized].”

Later, Arun Kumar asks the correspondent to contact him after a couple of weeks when the government money comes for the uniforms. Arun Kumar also tells the correspondent that many other suppliers have contacted him for supplying school uniforms. He says he will take commission only when the job is done. He says: “Order ki supply ke baad [after the order is supplied].” But he wants his cut in cash and not in cheque.

Madhulika Bajpayee, Block Education Officer of Navasta, Kanpur

Bajpayee, too, is more interested in her share of commission. She talks at length regarding the laws of the land in this regard but as soon as the correspondent talks of commission, she forget the legalities. Bajpayee even asks for an advance of the commission. When asked about the mode of payment, she says to get the orders, a supplier can submit three quotations of which two will be fake and priced higher. The third will be from the “real” supplier and it will be quoted at a lower price than the others, on which Bajpayee will give the purchase orders.

The correspondent asks Bajpayee that if the uniforms are supplied at, say, Rs 165 each, how will the rest of the commission be given to the beneficiaries? Bajpayee replies: “Cheque nahi… in sab me cheque ka koi madhyam nahi hota… cash… yeh hota hai ki aap pehle bhi uska advance thoda jo hai dete hai…baad mein jab aapka sab ho jaata hai … phir karte hai [Not cheque… transactions like these don’t happen through cheques. Cash… what happens is you pay some amount in advance… later when it is done rest is paid].” So, she needs an advance of the commission.

Ajay Kumar, Block Education Officer, Seembhawali in Hapur district

The correspondent tells Kumar that he will charge Rs 130 per school uniform, after which Kumar can sell each uniform at whatever rate he wants. Hearing this, Kumar comes up with an astounding revelation.  He says: “Teacher ka jaata hi hai…30 rupayee baccha… yeh batao aap… 30 rupayee baccha yaha teacher leta hai [Teacher has his cut. 30 rupees per child. You tell us…teacher takes Rs 30 per child].” Ajay Kumar makes it clear that to strike a deal at his school, the correspondent will have to pay Rs 30 for each dress to the teacher.

The correspondent assures Ajay Kumar that the interest of the teachers will be kept in mind. What about his own cut from the deal? Kumar says: “Yeh to pehle se tai hai… yahan kaun sa itne lambe chaure kaam ke black aur White ho jaye… aisi koi samasya nahi hai [this is already decided. This is not the place where we deal in heavy black and white money…Here there is no problem].”

To know about the Block Education Officer’s modus operandi, the correspondent tells Ajay Kumar that if he wants — after the payment is made from their side — the correspondent will issue a cheque of commission for Kumar and other teachers. Kumar turns down the proposal and says: “Nahi woh cash hi rehne do.  Next week aa jaana. Phone kar ke aana ] No. Let it be in cash only. Come next week after making a phone call].”

Nahida Begum, Block Education Officer of Bidhanu in Kanpur District

Begum seems to be an expert in such dealings. She details the way in which such contracts are awarded. She goes on to say that local politicians and gram pradhans (village heads) are also involved in the scam. She says commissions are paid to officials from the top to the bottom, including school headmasters.

When the correspondent asks Nahida Begum how much money will she get out of the commission, she says: “Hum logo ko 10 bach jaye, bahut badi baat hai… aap 20 ki baat karte hai… 30 to pura chala jaata hai wahin…30 to chala jaata hai SMC Pradhan, headmaster ko… BRC hote hai… coordinator hote hai…BSA bhi hote hai…un sabko dena padta hai… Bahut lambi chain hoti hai… [If you can save Rs 10 for us it is enough… and you are talking about Rs 20-30 will be going there straight…to SMC, Pradhan and the headmaster… there are BRC as well, then there are coordinators, BSAs.. all have to be paid… the chain is very long].”

Mithilesh Yadav, Block Education Officer of Prem Nagar, Kanpur

Mithilesh Yadav says she cannot ensure the contract for all the schools in the block but will certainly clinch a deal with at least 10 schools.

While the government is paying Rs 200 per school uniform, Yadav readily accepts an offer for Rs 165 per uniform. The remaining Rs 35 for each uniform will be paid as commission. He says officials in the department promote uniform suppliers. He says: “Hamara ek babu hai uska bhi apna koi dress supplier hai… uska bhai aise karwa deete hai sirf yeh hai 10-5 school aapko dilwa sakte hai… hamari aapko jis tarah ki madad ki awashyakta hai… humko batao [One of our officials also has a dress supplier…we can do it like this we can get you five-10 schools. Whatever help you require… just tell me].”

While talking about the mode of payment, Mithilesh Yadav says: “Payment toh teacher cheque dete hai abhi to 80 per cent aaya paisa 20 percent to wo pichli baar bhi baad mein aaya tha [Payment is… teacher gives the cheque… only 80 per cent of the grant has arrived and the rest 20 per cent… even last year the grant came in late].” Yadav tells the correspondent that even if he gets the work, there might be delay in the payments as the government holds back a certain amount for some time. But one thing that Mithilesh Yadav does not forget is his cut.

He says: “Cheque jo aate hai… woh 200 ke hisaab se aate hain… 200 ke hisaab se aapko pura cheque de deenge… wo aapko unko… hum logo ko to cash se hi doge… cheque se kaise doge aap… nahi cheque se nahi… cheque koi lega hi nahi… cheque kyun lega aap batao? [The cheque comes for Rs 200. We give you cheque for Rs 200 each… and then you have to pay them and us in cash… how can you pay by cheque? No one will accept cheque… why will they take a cheque, can you tell?).” 

When Cobrapost called Yadav later, he remembered the meeting and as we revealed that he was a journalist he said, “Commission kuch nahi hai…100-200 rupay main kya commission boliye [there is no such commission… what commission will we get out of Rs 100-200? Tell me]?”

Dr Jayveer Singh, District Coordinator, Baghpat

Jayveer told us that he will help the reporter get contract for two to three blocks. What he demanded for his services was Rs 50 per dress.

While talking to the reporter Jayveer says: “99416 bacche hai jisme lagbhag 60-70 hazaar hamara hai… usme hum 75 percent dhanrashi … 25 percent ke baad jaise iska satyapan ho jayega… 25 phir raise kar deenge… aapko hum 2-3 block dilwa deenge…[there are 99,416 children here of which almost 60-70 thousand are ours. In after that…I will get you 2 or 3 blocks].”

The reporter then enquired about the payments made last time for the dresses. Regarding the uniforms for the girls, Jayveer says: “Uska kam tha shayad, 280 ke karib tha… 40 hazaar ke kareeb bacche ho jayenge…ek crore 60 lakh ka kaam ho jayega. [He quoted less. I think it was around Rs 280. There will be around 40 thousand children. The entire job will be around Rs 1 crore 60 lakh].”

Jayveer informs us that there are other senior officials include the District Magistrate who are direct beneficiaries of the scam money. He says: “47 adhikari janpad me… to agar waha zara sa bhi mamla ho jata hai to daal dete hai ki silai kharab … kapda kharab… likh dete hai… kaun sochta hai seedhe seedhe inki jeb mein daal ke chala gaya… lekin aisa nahi hai… bahut hi upar se neeche tak ka mamla hai… BSA bhi…wo log upar tak jaata hai… [There are around 47 officials in the district. So, if anything goes wrong then they accuse of poor stitching or poor material etc. People think that only filling up pockets is enough. But it is not like that.  The matter flows from top to bottom.  Including the BSA. It has to reach the top)”

Is the DM aware of the flow of money against the contracts? And does he also get a cut? Jayveer says: “Bina uske kahe to file nahi chalti… pichli baar DM sahab wo the… Amrit Tripathi… 11 baje ek vidyalay tha waha nirikshan ke liye bheja  shiksha adhikariyo ne keh diya ki nahi bati…to waha gaye hum to dekha sala bulwaliya raat me… DDO kehne lage saale ke itni laathi marunga matlab chaura kar doonga tujhe… [files do not move without his concent. Last time the DM was Amrit Tripathi. He sent us for a surprise inspection at 11.  Education officers told her that dresses were not distributed.  He immediately convened a meeting at night. DDO said that the people will get thrashed as the dresses were not distributed].”

Jayveer too asks for advance payment for himself. Without giving a second thought Jayveer says: “Maan ke chalo 50 adhikari lage huye hai…wo payment hame pehle karna padta hai…[there are about 50 officials. That payment we will have to do in advance].”

To re-confirm, the reporter asks him what amount exactly is to be paid per uniform to Jayveer.  He says: “2 dress pe 110 rupaye [Rs 110 on 2 dresses].”

However when our correspondent spoke to him later for his version, not only did he remember everything but also confirmed  and promised us to fix a deal for us with the already decided commission rate. But as the journalist revealed his identity, he cut the call.

SK Karadu, district Education Coordinator of Gautam Buddh Nagar

Eager for his cut, Kiradu agrees to recommend the “supplier” to officials. Kiradu says: “Schoolon mein jaiye… main aapse sampark karunga tender ki karwahi jo hogi… usme aapko inform kar doonga… list wagaira sab main help… kisi ko batane ki zaroorat nahi hai… main aapki poori help kar doonga… mera number note kar lo… (We will go to the schools. I will contact you when the tender process is on. I will help you with the list. You don’t need to tell anybody… I will give you all possible help. You take my number).”

Karadu will be more than happy to help an unknown uniform supplier, manipulate the contract process and share all information if his interest is respected. He says: “Aap nishchint rahiye…  pareshan hone ki zaroorat nahi… kaam kariye bas school o me jaakar apna network banaiye… jaha dikkat aaye mujhe bata dijiye… yaha jo information hai main aapse share karta rahunga…aapka kaam chalta rahega. (Don’t be worried. There is no need to worry. You do your job. Go to the schools and concentrate on the networking. If you have any problem just tell me. Whatever the information I will have here, I will share with you. Your work will progress).”

Though Karadu doesn’t quote his price, he talks about the teachers’ cuts. He says: “Mere khyal se 20-30 rupaye hota hai inka per dress (I think it is Rs. 20-30 on each dress for them).

Karadu also asks the correspondent not to involve the Basik Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) in the deal. He Karadu says: “Dekhiye silent kaam jitna karenge utna success zyada hoga… jitna aap jaal phailainge to sab ke muh khulenge… wo khulta hai… agar BSA ko dena hai to mujhe na dijiye direct BSA ko dijiye… BSA ko dena hai to direct dijiye (See, if you do it silently then you will attain greater success. If you spread the web then everybody will pounce on you (for money). If you give it to the BSA then don’t give anything to me. If you give to BSA then give him directly).”

Although later when Cobrapost tried to contact Karadu for his reaction but his phone was unreachable.

Not all Block Education Officers, however, are corrupt. In Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bhuwan Prakash, Block Education Officer of Dadri, turned down the offer for a cut in exchange of the deal. Bhuwan Prakash told our “supplier” to maintain the quality and forget about paying the principal or anyone else: “…mere yaha agar aap kaam karo ge to quality basis pe karna … ispe mat karna ki mujhe kuch chahiye [Whatever your quality is you will have to maintain that. And you should forget that you will have to pay the principal and me or anybody else on that matter. If you work over here then you will have to do it on quality basis. Don’t do it as if I want anything from you]. ”