Early Times Report
Doda, Oct 19: A major scam has surfaced in Doda Education Department, prompting the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) to launch a probe.
It has been learnt that there have been scores of illegal appointments of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers across Doda. The candidates with good financial background were adjusted during last decade, and preliminary investigations revealed that most of the appointments were made by then Chief Education Officer Doda Yogeshwar Raj Thusoo in connivance with former Zonal Education Officer Doda Abdul Rehman Bhat, Anayatullah Sheikh and former ZEO Bhagwah, Ishar Chand Bhagat.
Also, there has been illegal up-gradation and opening of schools in Doda district, hence causing loss of Rs 70 lakh to the exchequer.
Details reveal that Bhat, in connivance with former CEO Doda Ghulam Rasool Ganie, appointed his daughter Rafiqa Banoo and his relative Sumaiyah Kousar as ReTs in PS Home Guard Line Doda one month before his retirement.
A fake feasibility report was made in respect of roll, distance and feeding school.
Similarly, ex-CEO Doda Thusoo in active connivance with Bhat did not advertise the Math vacancy in Middle School Basti village Koti at zonal level. They then appointed one Mohammad Iqbal of village Beoli at zonal level in violation of government order 1639 Edu of 2003 dated 12.11.2003 which says that in case required candidate is not available in village the selection process must be extended to Panchayat level/zonal level through fresh advertisement.
Encouraged by unaccountability in the department, Thusoo got his favourite candidates namely Babloo Kumar and Pinky Devi appointed as ReTs in a Ghat school.
The details reveal that former ZEO Doda Anayatullah Sheikh illegally and fraudulently appointed Ratna Devi as additional ReT teacher under SSA. He also appointed one Sabiha Fatima, resident of ward No: 05 of Doda Municipality, as additional ReT teacher on February 9 2004 in primary school Bijarni in violation of government order No. 1628 Edu of 2003, dated 24.11.2003. Fatima was appointed even before vacancies of additional teacher were sanctioned by then CEO Doda. Finally, Fatima managed her posting in home locality of Doda.
One Ashfaq Ahmed, of ward No: 13 Doda, could not be selected as ReT teacher due to low merit. However, in December 2004, he was fraudulently appointed by Sheikh as ReT in Kotal village.
Following the footsteps of Sheikh, the then ZEO Bhagwah, Isher Chand, fraudulently and illegally appointed Ashiq Hussain as ReT in primary school Chetroo village in February 2004 without advertising the vacancy.
Meanwhile, the Joint Director, School Education Jammu has been appointed as enquiry officer by Commissioner/Secretary to School Education Department. |
