Bhubaneswar, 11 July (H.S.): The Odisha Government has ordered a criminal investigation into the serious errors detected in textbooks prescribed for students from Classes 1 to 8. Taking a stern view of the matter, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed that the entire textbook preparation and publication process be subjected to a comprehensive criminal probe.

The Chief Minister has also instructed the Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) with the Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Crime Branch to facilitate an impartial and thorough investigation and ensure legal action against those found responsible.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to examine the reasons behind the errors in the textbooks. Based on the committee's findings, the then Director of SCERT and three Assistant Directors were placed under suspension.

In addition, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against six other Assistant Directors for their alleged role in the lapses.

With the latest directive, the matter will now move beyond departmental action to a full-fledged criminal investigation. The state government has made it clear that if the probe establishes negligence, misconduct, or criminal liability at any stage of the textbook preparation, review, or publication process, strict legal action will be taken against all those found accountable in accordance with the law.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda