Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, June 3: To save the higher educational institution from further embarrassment and protect the accused, clandestine efforts were said to be in progress to hush up the alleged Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) scholarship scam of Rs 13 lakh,
Sources informed Early Times that the Scholarship scandal, which became public some days back was just a tip of the iceberg as the university is alleged to be marred by embezzlement of funds, backdoor appointments and other illegal works.
"In the fake bank account which was traced from Darhal branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, not only cheques of scholarships, but the cheques on the name of a caterers to the tune of Rs 4 to 6 lakhs are also recovered", sources said, adding that the embezzlement money in fake account, might run into lakhs", sources said.
Sources further alleged that students were charged for complete year but eatables were provided for only 8 to 9 months in the university hostels. "For the last many years, there is no tendering process for catering purposes and under a well planned conspiracy, catering tenders are allegedly being given to a particular catering agency for certain considerations. The commission amount directly deposited into the fake account and cheques on name of caterers also vindicate the fact", sources said, adding that even security deposited by students was also not refunded to all of them and that amount was also allegedly drained out into fake account.
"The scholarship scandal is just tip of iceberg and there are many other scandals which need to be investigated", sources said.
They said, "If the real perpetrators of the Scholarship scam are exposed, veil from many other scandals will also get removed and those officials, who have amassed huge wealth will be punished", sources said, adding that anticipating threat of expose, some officials have been leaving no stone unturned to find ways to hush up the case.
Sources alleged that Jammu and Kashmir Police has already been investigating the case but more inquiries have been initiated. The constitution of more enquiry committees, including the enquiry committee ordered by Vice Chancellor of University, Committee constituted by Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Minister Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, Enquiry conducted by Higher Education Department, shows the seriousness of government machinery, but some officials have also been raising finger over constitution of many enquiry committees.
"These enquiries can be a showoff to douse public anger and there are possibilities that a deal is already finalized between some involved officials of University and some people in power corridors", sources alleged.
Sources said that the big fishes involved in the scholarship scandal were yet to be touched and only the small fishes, who were simply pawns in the entire game have so far been targeted.
"The cheques of scholarships are not signed by the clerks but a higher official of university but so far no action has been taken against him", sources said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rajouri, Haseeb Mughal said that enquiry was still going on. "We have got some records from BGSBU and have also sought records from Directorate of Tribal Affairs and Directorate of Social Welfare. After getting complete record details, something can be said", he said.
On the involvement of varsity officials, he said that one official of University Muzaffar, who had been working in the office of Dean Students' Welfare (DSW) was yet to be arrested and after his arrest, other officials of University might be questioned. |
