Skip to content Skip to navigation

Bicycle scam leaves Gogoi red faced

A huge scam in education department is set to embarrass the Congress government hardly six months before the assembly polls. The scam involving nearly Rs 90 crore took place in the procurement of bicycle for girl students in 2014. 

The matter had already reached the Gauhati High Court where a division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice (Acting) K Sreedhar Rao and Justice PK Saikia on Tuesday issues notices to Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Director of Secondary Education, M/s SK Bikes Pvt. Ltd, M/s Seth Industrial Corporation, M/s Hero Ecotech Pvt. Ltd and Vishal Cycle Pvt. Ltd. 

Considering the alleged anomalies in the misuse of public money during procurement of ladies bicycle by the Directorate of Secondary Education a suo moto PIL was taken up by the Gauhati High Court took serious notes of the stunning revelations in the PIL.  

The note of the Registrar (Judicial) of the Court reflects that letters were addressed to the Prime Minister of India; Ministry of Home Affairs; Director, CBI; C V C; and CM Assam; alleging fraud and corruption taking place in the Directorate of Secondary Education, Kahilipara, Assam, in the procurement of ladies bicycle worth Rs. 80-90 Crores in the year 2014 and again floating a tender fixing the last date of submission as 19.06.2015 with same eligibility criteria, even after knowing the facts that the eligibility criteria is attracting only 1 (One) company, i.e. M/s SK Bikes Pvt. Ltd., Ludhiana and other companies are not participating.

Renowned manufacturers like Hero, Atlas, BSA, Hercules and Avon have not participated in the tender. An illegal syndicate/nexus is also alleged amongst M/s SK Bikes Pvt. Ltd., (Ludhiana), M/S Hero Ecotech (Not Hero) and M/s Vishal Cycle Pvt. Ltd., the Education Minister, the Education Minister’s son and a few department officials and they have hiked the price by 38% compared to other States.

The complaint has enclosed some documents where the same supplier, i.e. M/s SK Bikes Pvt. Ltd., Ludhiana, and M/s Seth Industrial Corporation, Ludhiana have quoted the rates of the same ladies bicycle to the Gujarat Rural Industrial Marketing Limited (GRIMCO), Govt. of Gujarat Undertaking, Gandhinagar, Gujarat as Rs. 2489.68/- per bicycle and within 2 (two) months the same was quoted as Rs. 3425/- per bicycle to Assam and Rs. 2780/- per bicycle to the Director of Secondary Education, Rajasthan.

Big cycle manufacturing companies did not participated in the year 2014. Again in May, 2015, the tender was floated fixing the last date as 19.06.2015 with same eligibility criteria knowing that only 1 company is participating. On 16.06.2015, the Minister and others met and decided the issues before hand, raising questions how the Department pre-assessed the precise situation on 16.06.2015 which was going to take place on 19.06.2015.

The complainant also stated that the freight difference on each bicycle from Ludhiana to Rajasthan/Gujarat and Ludhiana to Assam is Rs.50/-. Considering and calculating the purchase of 2,00,000 Nos. of ladies bicycle by Assam, the freight and price difference shows a huge impact of corruption and in comparison with the supply made to Gujarat, the difference comes to Rs.595/- per bicycle and Rs. 11,90,00,000/- (in total).       

 

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Random Stories

Flood nothing new: Gen VK Singh

22 Aug 2014 - 8:14pm | AT News
 DoNER minister General VK Singh Friday disassociated flood problem from his ministry saying that it is for the water resources ministry to do whatever is necessary. Addressing a press...

Former Cong legislator arrested

17 Feb 2017 - 9:36am | AT News
The Arunachal police have grilled Sanjay Raj Subba in connection with a cheating and fraud case after they arrested the former Congress MLA from Naoboisa on Thursday.A team of police from Sepa rushed...

EE PHED at New DC Complex, Peren HQ locked and sealed by the public of Peren Town on Saturday

Residents close down PHED Office

4 Jun 2016 - 5:54pm | Azeu Namcyn Hau
The angry residents of Nagaland's Peren town have forcibely closed down two vital PHED offices alleging defunct water supply system in the town. Earlier, the residents in its first phase protest...

Tremors struck again

12 May 2015 - 4:10pm | AT News
Three back to back tremors struck no less panic on Tuesday forcing the authorities to sound alert across the state.The state rattled at 12.37 when a 7.4 magnitude originated in Kathmandu. This was...

Other Contents by Author

In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable agriculture and the preservation of indigenous livestock, Saras Dairy, under the guidance of Joraram Kumawat, Minister of Animal Husbandry, proudly unveils its latest offering: pasteurized camel milk. This initiative, achieved through collaboration with Bahula Food Pvt Ltd and Urmul Seemant Samiti, signifies a pioneering step in the realm of public-private partnerships dedicated to supporting herders and safeguarding the invaluable camel population. Gratitude is extended to all stakeholders, including Mahant Pratap Puri, MLA Pokhran, and Dr. Bhawani Singh Rathore, Animal Husbandry Director, for their indispensable contributions. Recognition is...
Assam Times (.org) ("Assam Times", "we", "us", or "our") respects the privacy of our users ("you", "your"). This Privacy Policy describes the types of information we collect from and about you when you visit our website (the "Website") and how we use that information.   Information We Collect We collect two types of information on this Website: Personal Information: This is information that can be used to identify you as an individual, such as your name, email address, and any other information you choose to share in comments, forums, or other interactive features. We only collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. Non-Personal Information: This...
In a landmark move, participants of the International Conclave on Water, Hill Lives, and Future, convened in Shillong on February 9th and 10th, 2024, have jointly adopted the "Shillong Declaration." This declaration underscores the critical interlinkages between water resources and hill ecosystems, emphasizing a holistic approach towards achieving sustainable development in these regions.   The vital role of water as a critical resource and the need for enhanced resilience around water in hilly terrains, as underscored by the declining water table and spring water levels, waning traditional water systems, retreating, and polluting rivers, changing rainfall patterns, increase...
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: Today marks the commencement of the 3rd edition of Maru Manthan, a transformative forum orchestrated by the Desert Resource Centre and Urmul, in collaboration with desert communities. Held on February 9th and 10th, 2024, in the heart of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, Maru Manthan stands as a beacon for celebrating the indomitable spirit of the desert and fostering sustainable solutions amidst its challenges. The forum draws together an illustrious lineup of organizations and individuals dedicated to desert conservation and community empowerment. Representatives from esteemed entities such as the Foundation for Ecological Security, Ministry of Lowlands & Irrigation (...
The 'Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024', a five-day cultural extravaganza showcasing Northeast India's richness, kicks off on January 13 at Bharat Mandapam. Organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and NEHHDC, the festival aims to display diverse arts, crafts, and cultures, fostering economic opportunities. With 250 participants including weavers, farmers, and entrepreneurs, the event features panel discussions, buyer-seller meets, traditional performances, and a focus on women's roles in regional development. Highlighting the youth's contribution and challenges, the festival aims to explore how they can shape India's economic landscape. Additionally, specialized...
In a bid to empower the youth against the perils of single-use plastics, the UNEP Tide Turners Plastic Challenge made significant strides in Assam. The WWF-India, alongside UNEP, orchestrated a pivotal Teachers’ Training Program on December 19th, 2023, at Maharishi Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School in Silpukhuri. This initiative, a global endeavor ongoing since 2019, aims to cultivate leadership qualities among the youth to combat the menace of plastic pollution. WWF-India has taken the helm as the knowledge and implementing partner, customizing and executing the program's intricacies across the country. The training session witnessed the active participation of teachers from 37...
December 10, 2023, saw the Indigenous Peoples'  of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, Northeast, joined by the Jatiatabad Punar Nirman Samiti, observe World Human Rights Day in diverse regions of the state. The programme was held at Guwahati Press Club. A discussion titled "Human Rights and Northeast Region" was arranged. Notable speakers, including Pradeep Gogoi, Vice President of the ULFA (Discussion faction), L. Khongsai, President of Assam Kuki Welfare Society, N.G. Sanahaal Singha, President of Assam Manipuri Students' Association, Mrinal Gohain, Thinker, Meishnam Bhagat Singha, Paotinlen Chongloui, human rights activist, Shaheen Ahmed, academic and researcher, Rajkumar Baishya,...
Guwahati: The Indigenous peoples of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, North East India (IPMDCKANEI) came together on Assam Divas (Sukafa Divas) to address critical issues impacting their communities. Held at the Conference Hall, Media Trust', Rup Nagar, Guwahati, the day-long program included a significant round table conference featuring ethnic activists from Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Nagaland. The event commenced with tributes to historical figures, Chao Pha Chao lung Sukafa and Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, followed by intense discussions on the challenges confronting indigenous groups in North East India. Representatives from various organizations including the United Bodo Peoples...
Representatives from various indigenous groups and environmental organizations convened in Gangtok, Sikkim, for the North East India Meet on Free Flowing Rivers. The gathering, hosted by the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Centre for Research and Advocacy (Manipur), and the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization, concluded with a significant resolution aimed at safeguarding the region's rivers and biodiversity. "We recognize the intrinsic rights of rivers to flow freely and the vital relationship between indigenous communities and their natural resources," emphasized a spokesperson from the conference. The Teesta Declaration outlined pressing concerns regarding the construction of...
Guwahati: The commencement of preliminary work on the flyover linking the Dighalipukhuri point with the Bamunimaidan area has sparked concerns among the media fraternity in Guwahati. The ongoing development, anticipated to be the longest flyover in Assam stretching over six kilometers and set for completion by 2026, has raised issues for the city's Press Club situated in the Ambari locality. As construction gears up, the Press Club faces a significant reduction in its working space due to the flyover's expansion. This reduction is poised to create parking challenges for members and visitors alike during and after the construction phase, prompting the Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) to...