Sanjay Raut alleges Rs 200 cr extortion scam in Maharashtra school approvals; releases clearance 'rate card'

New Delhi, July 29 (AHN) Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, on Wednesday launched a scathing attack against the Maharashtra government and the Centre, alleging a massive Rs 200 crore extortion racket within the state’s School Education Ministry alongside widespread paper leaks and fake degree scams.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi and issuing a detailed statement on social media platform X, he claimed standard school authorisation procedures in Maharashtra have devolved into a lucrative "game of money," severely crippling private educational institutions and eroding the state’s standing as a premier educational hub.

According to Raut, private educational trusts — which already invest crores of rupees in capital infrastructure to set up schools — are being subjected to systemic bribery at every stage of the approval process.

Total administrative clearance costs across various government desks have reportedly spiraled to nearly Rs 50 lakh per school.

Raut outlined an alleged "rate card" enforced by officials for various mandatory clearances. He said that Rs 5 lakh is required just to secure the initial LOI, Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per desk for final ministerial approval of self-financed schools and Rs 8 lakh extorted to sanction additional classroom divisions.

Raut pointedly targeted an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the School Education Minister's office, accusing the official of refusing to engage with management representatives unless bribe demands are fulfilled.

"Even after paying, school administrators are forced to make endless rounds of the minister's office for six months," Raut stated.

"The OSD acts with complete impunity, boasting that no action can be taken against him because he is closely connected to the Minister," he said.

Raut noted that several harassed institution owners personally met him in Delhi to provide evidence of the extortion network, which he estimated has generated Rs 200 crore across the state. Highlighting the contrasting state of public education, Raut pointed out that nearly 2,000 government schools across Maharashtra have recently shut down due to severe funding shortages.

Beyond administrative corruption, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader raised alarm over the state's broader academic integrity, citing multiple scandals including frequent leaks in major competitive and recruitment examinations, including the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), TET (Teacher Eligibility Test), Drug Inspector exams, and NEET-UG. He claimed there has been a widespread circulation of illegitimate marksheets and university certificates.

He alleged that "2 out of every 10 people in Maharashtra hold fake degrees issued over the last 10 years."

Raut claimed that teachers being pulled from classrooms to perform non-educational administrative duties (such as SIR-related fieldwork). He advocated hiring unemployed youth for these tasks rather than sending educators door-to-door.

Holding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directly accountable for the crisis, Raut accused the ruling coalition of deflecting responsibility.

Raut criticised BJP parliamentarians for shifting debate during parliamentary discussions on paper leaks onto past prime ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi rather than addressing current institutional failures.

Citing the NEET-UG exam irregularities, he demanded Prime Minister Modi’s resignation, emphasising that top leadership must take responsibility for the administrative collapse.

"The education sector in Maharashtra has plunged into complete chaos," Raut said. "Instead of addressing merit and core issues, the administration deflects criticism. I will be presenting all evidence regarding these scams," he remarked.