Chennai: A state-level association representing private schools has alleged that bribes totalling more than Rs 300 crore were collected over the last five years for renewal of recognition and issuance of no-objection certificates.
Nandakumar, state general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Nursery, Primary, Matric Higher Secondary and CBSE Schools Association, said that during the previous DMK regime, continued recognition and NOCs were allegedly granted only to schools that paid money.
He claimed that after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam came to power, recognition was issued without any fee, and alleged that CBSE schools had earlier not received recognition without payment. According to him, up to Rs 35 lakh was collected per school, and the money was received through a private establishment in Chennai’s T Nagar.
He further alleged that district education officers across 38 districts issued recognition only after instructions from Muthukumar, described as a former vice-president of a parents-teachers body and a friend of former School Education Minister Mahesh, and that payments were also made to officials.
The association also claimed that in the last two years, collections were made from within the School Education Directorate office in Nungambakkam, Chennai, and that additional amounts were collected from schools for releasing a conference souvenir for a parents-teachers event. It also alleged that private school vehicles were forcibly used for DMK public meetings, with schools bearing fuel costs, and that officials were complicit.
