Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Dhar Tribal Hostel Purchase Order Creates Confusion Over Spending Approvals
A new order in Dhar tells tribal hostel managers to ask for permission before buying many things.
These things include furniture, equipment, repairs and educational trips.
Managers must send their plans to the district office within seven days.
They can spend the money only after receiving approval.
This seems different from an older government order from 2018.
That older order allowed hostel managers and guardian committees to buy supplies and arrange repairs.
One manager said hostels need simple items such as cooking vessels and spoons.
The manager also said purchases can be difficult when permission is delayed.
The article says some officials are alleged to require purchases from particular vendors.
A September 8, 2026 order requires Dhar hostel superintendents to seek prior approval before spending funds.
The directive covers furniture, equipment, maintenance, skill development and educational tours.
Superintendents must submit proposals to the district office within seven days.
A July 24, 2018 state order had authorised hostels and guardian committees to make such purchases.
A superintendent said delays affect basic needs and alleged officials sometimes specify vendors.
- Who
- The Tribal Affairs Department, assistant commissioner Parul Jain and hostel superintendents in Dhar.
- What
- A directive requires prior approval for spending hostel funds on several types of purchases and activities.
- When
- The new order is dated September 8, 2026; the earlier state order is dated July 24, 2018.
- Where
- Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The article does not state why the new approval requirement was introduced.
Prior Purchase Authority
Central Prior Approval
Who should approve spending
Prior Purchase Authority
The 2018 Madhya Pradesh State Scheduled Tribes Affairs Department order authorised hostels, ashrams, schools and guardian committees to purchase materials, undertake repairs and meet certain expenses.
Central Prior Approval
The September 8, 2026 directive requires superintendents of SC/ST hostels and ashrams to submit proposals and obtain approval before spending available funds.
Effect on daily supplies
Prior Purchase Authority
Hostel superintendents say they need to purchase small essential items for students and that delays make those purchases difficult.
Central Prior Approval
The department’s directive requires proposals to be submitted to the district office before covered spending can occur.
Vendor selection
Prior Purchase Authority
A superintendent alleged that officials sometimes insist materials be purchased from specific vendors.
Central Prior Approval
The article provides no stated response from the department to that allegation.
- District
- Dhar, Madhya Pradesh
- Hostels
- Approximately 300 hostels serve resident students in the district.
- New order date
- September 8, 2026
- Approval authority
- Assistant commissioner Parul Jain and the competent authority
- Proposal deadline
- Within seven days of the directive
- Earlier order
- A July 24, 2018 order authorised hostels, ashrams, schools and guardian committees to make certain purchases and repairs
- Commonly needed items
- Pressure cookers, cooking vessels and spoons