Graft: K’shetra DEO among 2 suspended

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, August 16

The Education Department today suspended the District Education Officer Paramjit Sharma with immediate effect for allegedly taking bribe in lieu of extending the affiliation of a private school in the district. Ranjeet, a superintendent at the DEO’s office, has also been suspended.

Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma today said the decision was taken on the basis of a complaint by the management committee of the private school. PK Das, Additional Chief Secretary, School Education, has been directed to conduct a probe into the matter, he added.

The police had booked Paramjit Sharma, Ranjeet and Surinder Kumar, a local shopkeeper, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, following a complaint by Sukhram Saini, the owner of Mata Vaishno Devi Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School at Bhiwani Khera village. He had alleged that the DEO had sought Rs3 lakh as bribe for permission to begin classes in science and commerce streams at the school.

Sukhram Saini said he had submitted audio clippings to authorities concerned, in which Sharma pressurised him to foot the bills for renovation work at his home in Mohan Nagar locality.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Noopur Bishnoi is investigating the case.