Panchayat is a mass involvement movement and the corner stone of democratic dispensation. Consequently, people reposed great trust in the Panchayats for more than one reason.
This notwithstanding, we have a case in sight about the corrupt practices of the Sarpanchs perpetrated in collusion with the Education Department authorities in the case of building additional rooms in Primary and Middle Schools in District Udhampur. According to a report, embezzlement of crores of rupees in the construction of additional accommodation undertaken by 57 Village Education Committees in the district has been unearthed, in which the Sarpanchs and officers of School Education Department are allegedly involved.
We have noted with much appreciation that the Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur, on being informed of alleged embezzlement, ordered inquiry into the case. On receiving the report, which has confirmed embezzlement and violation of rules, he is now proceeding with further action in the matter. The Government had sanctioned construction of three additional classrooms along with toilet and head-teacher room in each Middle School in the district. Funds to the tune of Rs 9.84 lakh for each unit were kept at the disposal of Village Education Committees (VECs) through respective Chief Education Officers of the Udhampur from 2007-08 onwards. Similarly, for construction of one additional classroom for each Primary School along with toilet and head-teacher room, an amount of Rs 6.80 lakh for each unit was kept at the disposal of VECs during this period. When the District Magistrate came to know officially that the fate of around 445 school buildings was hanging in balance, he ordered an inquiry into the reasons for not accomplishing the construction of additional accommodation in these schools. This served as the tip of the iceberg and from there the entire fraud was unearthed. Reports revealed that in 57 Village Education Committees, funds to the tune of Rs 4.15 crore were embezzled by the VECs instead of completing the constructions on time. Obviously, this must have been done intentionally to seek additional funds from the Government for carrying out the remaining works. According to the instructions from the Government, the construction work had to be undertaken by the Village Education Committees at whose disposal 9.84 lakh rupees were kept for each unit. In violation of the instructions, the 57 identified VECs gave out the work to the contractors instead of carrying it out themselves. Why did they do so and why did not they seek the permission of the Department is what is considered violation of rules. Sarpanchs and village prominent persons are the members of the VEC besides the functionaries of the School Education Department. They are answerable.
The police has registered FIR against these 57 Village Education Committees and the Headmasters of the involved schools for embezzlement and willful disregard of rules and instructions. It is a sad commentary on these 57 VECs whom the Government trusted. It is unique in the history of our State that the Panchayats, the Sarpanchs enter into a nexus with corrupt Government functionaries to embezzle public money and yet claim to be the popular representatives of the people. They should get the punishment they deserve so that it becomes a lesson for the entire society. If Sarpanchs turn cronies, the fate of the villagers is doomed.
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