By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 31, 2015 : The centre has asked the Odisha government to submit a report on the alleged corruption at the Odisha Knowledge Corporation Ltd (OKCL).

The letter from the union ministry of human resources development (HRD) to the mass education department regarding allegation of corruption at OKCL follows allegation by former chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] leader, Giridhar Gamang of rampant corruption in OKCL.

OKCL was established in the year 2011 as a joint venture promoted by the state higher education department, and Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited, Pune to create new paradigm in education and development through universalization and integration of Information Technology in teaching, learning and educational management processes in particular and socio-economic transformative processes in general.

“My father, Giridhar Gamang had written a letter to the union human resources development minister, Mrs Smruti Irani with details of corrupt practices in OKCL in complete violation of guidelines on computer education in schools. I am happy that the ministry has acted on the letter and hope that the mega scam will come to public domain”, Gamang’s son and BJP supporter, Sishir Gamang on Thursday here.

Speaking to Bizodisha.com, Sishir, who also is the advisor of Odisha School Coordinators Association suspects a mega scam in OKCL involving at least Rs 500 crore and demanded for a thorough probe by the premier investigating agency, CBI.

Right to Information activist, Pradeep Pradhan corroborated with Sisir saying that the state government chose to tie up with a discredited private organization like Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd to spread computer education in the schools.

“Odisha government has a competent organization dealing with information technology in Odisha Computer Application Centre. It could have asked it to take up the computer education job itself. But the Naveen Patnaik government preferred to virtually handover the management of OKCL to private organization like MKCL which has 30% share in OKCL. There should be thorough probe by CBI to find out how the money earmarked for the purpose was siphoned and to fix the accountability of the erring officials,” Pradhan said.

Meanwhile, the Mass Education department has also asked the Rashtriya Madhyamik Sikhshya’s State Project Director to submit the required information within January 10.
OKCL, which was assigned to provide computer education in 4,000 schools of the State, has contracted its work to TCIL and IL&FS.

Meanwhile, the State government appointed the Higher Education Secretary, GVV Sharma as OKCL chairperson while the Mass Education Secretary Ranjana Chopra has become director of the organization.

OKCL was established as a joint venture promoted by the state Higher Education department and Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited, Pune. It has 200 Authorized Learning Centres (ALCs) that offer various courses and examination preparation series to ambitious learners.