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Anti-graft body nabs 2 literacy drive officials in Maharashtra

Two members of the Buldhana literacy drive committee, set up two years ago as part of the National Literacy Mission, have been trapped by the Maharashtra police's Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly misappropriating funds.

Then Buldhana collector Prakash Bhishikar and Adult Education Officer S K Pawar allegedly misappropriated funds allotted for launching the literacy programme in Buldhana district.

The government suffered losses estimated at Rs 1.18 million in purchasing slates, pencils, erasers, banners and chalk boxes.

The ACB raided the home of Baba Bhand, a publisher at Aurangabad, from whom items meant for the mission were purchased by the officials.

ACB officials from Amravati, Buldhana and Nagpur also raided 12 places in the state simultaneously to unearth irregularities following a complaint in this connection.

Bhishikar and Pawar passed two tenders filed by Bhand at excessive rates, rejecting lower bids. In one case Bhand was allowed to supply material even though his tender was not accepted.

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