Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, July 27: Amidst reports of alleged mis-utilization of funds worth hundreds of crores of rupees, released for construction of school buildings under Centrally sponsored Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Government is finding it difficult to get the factual position as district administrations are not responding to the Education Minister’s instructions in this regard.
Notwithstanding the directions of Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, who holds the portfolio of Education Department, district administrations have failed to submit physical verification report on the newly constructed school buildings under SSA, highly placed authoritative sources informed the Excelsior.
As per the direction, all the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to conduct physical verification of newly constructed school buildings under SSA scheme in their respective districts vis-à-vis the funds released for the same and submit him a detailed report within one month, sources added.
However, even after more than three months since issuance of order and a reminder also, there has been no reply from the administration of all the districts, except Samba, which has submitted its report on the physical verification of SSA school buildings, sources further said.
Pertinent to mention here that under SSA scheme, which was launched in the State in 2002, more than 10,000 new schools of Primary and Middle level were opened in Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of crores of rupees were released for operating these schools and construction of the buildings.
However, there are allegations that a number of these SSA school buildings exist only on papers as funds for the same were siphoned off by the concerned Education authorities in connivance with the contractors. A good number of school buildings and classrooms remained incomplete as the funds were either diverted for other purposes or went into pockets of the concerned authorities. Maximum irregularities in this regard reportedly took place in remote area of the districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Kupwara, Karnah etc.
Taking serious note of reports of alleged mis-utilization of the SSA funds, the Education Minister Tara Chand issued a direction to all the Deputy Commissioner in April last to conduct physical verification of SSA schools at ground level in their respective district and submit him a detailed report within one month.
As the district administrations failed to submit reports in this regard, the office of Education Minister issued a reminder in this regard, last month but again there has been no response from the concerned authorities, sources said.
So far, the Government has received the physical verification report of only Samba district where there was no complaint of such nature, sources added.
Unprecedented delay in furnishing the physical verification report despite reminder of the Education Minister’s office virtually acknowledge the allegations of mis-utilization of funds worth hundreds of crores of rupees for construction of school buildings under SSA during the last one decade, sources explained.
When contacted, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand confirmed that he has sought details on physical verification of school buildings under SSA scheme as Utilization Certificates of the released funds were not submitted amidst alleged misuse of money. “The Government is not going to tolerate financial misdemeanor in the scheme and stern action will be taken against those who are found guilty,” he added.
According to available data, Centre had released Rs 211,347.57 cr for Jammu Kashmir under SSA in the last four years.
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