Shahdol: A major instance of corruption erupts in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, with financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 25 crore allegedly being perpetrated on the basis of letting work of maintenance of a government school. The fraud includes exaggerated labour entries as well as fraudulent billing of petty repair works in which lakhs of rupees are embezzled.
This was brought to the surface in the Beohari Assembly constituency at Government High School, Sakandi, and Government Higher Secondary School, Nipania. In this case, overcharging was done on maintenance activities such as painting and fitting of doors and windows. It was in one of the shocking cases, whereby at Sakandi High School, only 4 liters of oil paint was reported to demand the services of 168 laborers and 65 masons. This task alone got a total payment of 106,984. The payment was sanctioned by the in-charge District Education officer, Phool Singh Marpachi, and the money was withdrawn by the treasury.
After these malpractices have come under the limelight, School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh has moved with speed to act. He has also put an official investigation on the matter, and it is now the responsibility of the School Education Secretary and the Commissioner of Public Instruction. Using initial evidence, the acting principal of the school was suspended.
Minister Singh made it clear that a zero-tolerance policy against corruption was being ensured by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. In his official X (previously Twitter) account, he wrote that when corruption is identified, severe actions will be taken against those who are found guilty. He also repeated that accountability and transparency are the commitment of the department, and no such malpractices would be tolerated.
This has made people show public anger as they demand tightened control when it comes to carrying out government-funded projects, more so in the education sector, where the future of children is at stake.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News