Bhubaneswar: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has directed the Odisha School and Mass Education Department to take appropriate action over allegations of irregularities in the printing and supply of school textbooks in the state.

The intervention followed a complaint filed by RTI activist and whistleblower Pradip Pradhan, who alleged large-scale corruption, financial irregularities and conflict of interest in the textbook printing process.

According to the complaint, Subhrajit Nayak, Deputy Director (Technical) of the Odisha Government Press, has been overseeing textbook printing activities since 2022. The complaint questioned his involvement on the grounds that he belongs to the Commerce Department, while textbook-related matters come under the School and Mass Education Department.

The complainant has further alleged that Nayak influenced the selection of private printing presses and suppliers, and contracts were routed through a private agency allegedly operated by his wife.

The complaint also alleged that irregularities in the procurement and printing process affected the quality of textbooks supplied to students across Odisha. It claimed that lakhs of students received books containing printing errors and other defects.

The PMO has now forwarded the complaint to the School and Mass Education Department for necessary action. The development comes amid demands for a detailed probe into the alleged irregularities.

Pradhan has sought a comprehensive and independent investigation, including a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to establish the extent of the alleged financial irregularities and identify all officials and other persons involved.