Multi-crore scholarship scheme scam stares Madhya Pradesh
BHOPAL: An investigation by the Lokayukta into a seemingly minor complaint about misappropriation of funds disbursed under post-matric scholarships scheme for tribal students threatens to balloon into a multi-crore scam spanning across the state.
In the crosshair is tribal welfare department headed by none other than chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Taken aback by the magnitude of money allegedly siphoned off, Lokayukta Justice P P Naolekar constituted a special team to crack down on those involved in the case.
“We are conducting a state-wide investigation into the matter. It will take some time,” Justice Naolekar told TOI.
Tribal Welfare Department commissioner Umakant Umrao has been summoned with a detailed report of scholarships disbursed in all 50 districts in three financial years – 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Money allegedly swindled was meant for students belonging to Scheduled Tribes category, sources said.
Taking cognizance of a complaint from Jabalpur district, the watchdog initiated investigations into the scam where an institute allegedly pocketed scholarship around Rs 1.5 crore by claiming admissions of around 180 students.
Only two students had appeared for exams, sources said. “Institute in question had fraudulently used documents of 178 students to claim their scholarships,” said an investigating officer on condition of anonymity.
“This was a tip of an iceberg. Legal advisors of Lokayukta found out political bigwigs and even the Tribal Welfare Department allegedly are operating hundreds of institutes,” sources said.
The modus operandi is to inflate strength of students, sources said. Other input being verified is that one student has got enrolment in multiple institutes. “Not a single general category student in most of the colleges. Is it not it surprising?” asked a Lokayukta official, adding these are just some of the inputs that have come to light during initial inquiry into complaints of corruption and misappropriation of government scholarship funds meant for SC/ST students. The bungling seems to have been going on for at least five years, but spiked in the past couple of years, he said.
The department received many complaints alleging scam and glitches in scholarship scheme. In one such complaint, it was pointed out that scholarships for same 200 students were availed from Betul and Chhindwara district.
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