Pune: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's attempt to ensure school supplies reach students through the new e-RUPI system has failed, leaving 5,000 students still without the necessary items.
Despite implementing the e-RUPI system to provide supplies via QR code scans linked to parents' mobile numbers, issues such as unlinked mobile numbers or lack of mobile phones among parents have hindered the process.
With 43,000 students enrolled in the corporation's 105 primary and 18 secondary schools, only 38,000 have received their supplies more than two months into the academic year.
Last year, the municipal corporation decided to deposit funds directly into parents' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), but the initiative was criticized when many parents did not purchase uniforms or supplies for their children.
In response, this year's attempt involved directly purchasing ₹20.28 crore worth of supplies from vendors and distributing them using the e-RUPI system. However, with mobile numbers either unavailable or not linked to bank accounts, the intended seamless distribution process faced setbacks, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among parents and students.
Furthermore, the lack of brand specifications for items like raincoats, water bottles, and school bags resulted in complaints about substandard quality.
Acknowledging the challenges, the municipal corporation's education department admitted the system's shortcomings and the distress caused. Additional Commissioner Pradeep Jambhale has confirmed that next year, the corporation will revert to directly transferring funds to bank accounts to avoid the complications encountered this year.
