Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 22: A massive scam involving misappropriation of funds meant for student scholarship has surfaced in the Social Welfare Department.
According to documentary evidence, names of scores of students figure twice and even thrice in the list of the beneficiaries. When contacted, such students said the money has been given to them only once.
The sordid tale does not end here. Funds meant for Scheduled Tribe, handicapped and other categories have been given to candidates from open category. The process, sources said, has been going on for quite some time without any check from the authorities.
The scholarship, it is pertinent to mention is given from class Ist to matric for a period of nine months. Fifty percent of the money comes from the union Government and rest is given by the State Government.
Sources said the officials, therefore, have been duping the students, the union Government and the State Government as well. Interestingly, a body for releasing the state share of the scholarship comprises the Deputy Commissioner, the District Social Welfare Officer and the Chief Eeducation Officer of the district.
Shockingly the Social Welfare Minister, Sakina Itoo seems in no mood to set things right. Her silence, sources believe, convey wrong signals. According to them, she must dissociate herself from the irregularities and order a thorough probe. |
