The one man committee of Octroi Chief M P Vaidya had passed severe strictures against officers and members of the school board in the purchase of uniforms from Jalgaon based M/s Sad Group. The school board had purchased school uniforms worth Rs 52.10 lakh from the Sad Group.

Endorsing the committee report, Bhatia recommended suspension of school board members under Section 9 (2) of Bombay Primary Education Act, 1947.

Bhatia has also held education officer V R Kambale guilty and has refused to extend his service tenure. After heretired last month, Kambale had sought extension, something which had been supported by Mayor Datta Gaikwad.

Education Officer Y R Nikam, in-charge of high schools and technical education, has been asked to look after Kambale's post for the time being.

According to the committee report, the school, violating conditions in the tender, paid 90 per cent of the bill amount even though the Sad Group had not delivered the entire consignment.

The committee report says tender conditions had made it clear that payment would be made only after complete supply of the uniforms and its inspection. Vaidya said the full payment was made to the contractor only to favour him.

The committee report says that the Sad Group had no manufacturing unit within the jurisdiction of PMC, which is again a violation of the tender conditions.