Chandigarh, June 11
A four-member Central team begins its probe into alleged irregularities in the spending of funds meant for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RSMA) from tomorrow.

Principal Secretary (Schools) Anjali Bhawra said: “The team will carry out its investigation between June 12 and 14. The team will look into the allegations of questionable literature, substandard material, unjustified expenditure and related lapses pertaining to funds allotted under the SSA and RMSA schemes.” Sources said the members included Ranjana Arora, Assistant Professor, School Department of the NCERT; Arun Kumar, Under Secretary (Finance), IFD wing, Ministry of HRD; K Gopalan, Chief Consultant (Procurement), TSG-SSA; and Subir Shukla, an expert in literature for children.

Sources said the team had been asked to probe into procedural lapses by allowing purchase of controversial items under the head of practical copies, library books and science kits. The team is likely to look into quality of purchased items and matching pricing. The visit follows assurance by Union HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju to a Congress delegation led by Congress Legislative Party leader Sunil Jakhar that “the Centre will soon send a team to Punjab to scrutinise role of the state education department”.