Former GM of Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation arrested. Accused of giving 98 lakhs to relatives

Dispatch News.
Raipur. The ACB has arrested the former general manager of the Text Book Corporation for his alleged involvement in corruption in the corporation, three years after complaints against Ashok Chaturvedi were filed in the ACB and EOW. Many Congress leaders complained against it. He was accused of being close to some BJP leaders and working at their behest.
Three years ago, in 2020–21, a tender scam of Rs 6 crores came to light in the Text Book Corporation. The officers floated tenders for the supply of green and magnetic boards in the schools and filled phoney tenders. The then GM of the board, Ashok Chaturvedi, had gotten the contract awarded to his close company through fake documents.
After the scam came to light, the Investigation Agency registered a case against the GM, his close ones, and those responsible for the contracting firm. Apart from the GM, the EOW had also registered an offence against Hitesh Choubey of the firm that took the contract, Brijendra Tiwari, the staff of his company involved in the forgery, and the members of the tender committee of the corporation.
During the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2019, a voluntary grant of 98 lakhs was disclosed to the Text Book Corporation. Some were given money for treatment, while others received money to buy goods. Those who received the funds have no connection to the Textbook Corporation and made no contributions. The complainant accused Ashok Chaturvedi, the then-GM, of misusing the funds for the benefit of his relatives and acquaintances.