Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 6: The State Vigilance Commission (SVC) today sought Action Taken Report (ATR) from education secretary to clarify whether the funds under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme had been utilized in accordance with norms and guidelines laid down under the scheme by the concerned officers.
While proceeding on a complaint against a SSA Field Officer in connection with the alleged bunglings, gross irregularities and misuse of official position in purchase of various gadgets meant for official purpose, including photostat machines, gensets, laptops, mobile phones, TV sets, refrigerators, etc by him, SVC had called a report from SSA Directorate which revealed that domestic items like Radio Sets, Water Geysers, Fans, Lunch Boxes, Brief cases, mobile phones, etc had been purchased from SSA funds from time to time since 2007 and utilized for personal benefits by the officers/officials, including some personal staff members of then concerned minister and had not been returned by them till date, which tantamounts to mischief and criminal breach of trust on part of concerned public servants. Accordingly, the additional secretary of education department was summoned by SVC along with ATR.
The additional secretary appeared in person and sought some more time to submit a detailed report.
The SVC, while taking a serious note of the issue, directed the additional secretary to submt ATR by or before next date of hearing, mentioning therein whether these items were purchased from SSA funds, in accordance with the laid down guidelines/norms and the persons to whom these items were issued and also whether these persons had been issued any other similar items under other funds available with the education department and also give the present status of those items.
--(JNF) |
