Dharwad, Sept. 6 -- The Karnataka government's decision to centralise the procurement of shoes and socks for government school students has come under scrutiny after footwear supplied to children in Dharwad reportedly began tearing within days.

Parents have questioned the quality of the shoes supplied this academic year, pointing out that some students were forced to wear damaged footwear barely a week after receiving the pairs.

The controversy follows the government's change to the procurement mechanism for the free shoe and sock distribution scheme. Unlike previous years, when individual schools purchased footwear locally, this year the government invited tenders at the state level for procurement and supply.

The government spends cr...