Saturday, 10 February 2018

Govt announces probe, to approach Ministry of Minority Affairs; Embezzlement of scholarship funds by pvt institute


Saroori’s seeks blanket ban on liquor in Jammu & Kashmir

Appoint Numberdar, Chowkidars in all Panchayat Ghars; highlighted deficit in PHE scheme in Kishtwar

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 10: - As Congress legislator from Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori produced a documentary proof on the floor of the Legislative Assembly to establishment embezzlement worth Rs 1.09 crore in the minority scholarship fund, Minister for Social Welfare Sajjad Gani Lone announced to conduct a thorough probe into the case.

“Evergreen Institute of Training situated at Shastri Nagar has embezzled Rs 1.09 crore meant for scholarship to the minority community and released by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs”, Saroori said, adding “the scholarship amount has been disbursed to a wholesale shopkeeper, Government employee, medical shop owner by the owner of the institute and a huge chunk of this amount has been transferred in the accounts of some private firms,”.

Pointing towards the bank statement of the institute having account in the J&K Bank’s Bakshi Nagar branch, Congress MLA said, “The owner has usurped the scholarship funds for his own use instead of providing to the students of minority community”. “This is the question of students of minority community who have been deprived of the scholarship released by the Union Government”. He demanded thorough probe into the embezzlement of funds and strict action against the accused persons. He also handed over some documents to Speaker Kavinder Gupta to substantiate his allegation.

Taking serious note of the allegation, Minister for Social Welfare Sajjad Gani Lone announced a probe into the case. “The funds have been directly transferred to the beneficiaries, but if the embezzlement as alleged by the legislator is proved, the government will conduct an inquiry and also request the Minister for Minority Affairs to apprise the state whether any scholarship amount meant for the minority community has been transferred to any other institution,” Lone said. The minister also assured the House that the J&K Government would take up this matter with the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs as the alleged embezzlement was made in a scheme, which was directly funded by the Central government.

Meanwhile the private member's bills seeking the blanket ban on liquor in Jammu & Kashmir moved by Congress MLA from Inderwal G. M Saroori in the legislative assembly was introduced for consideration by the government after pandemonium in the assembly. As the bill was presented in the house the opposition members equivocally supported the bill seeking ban on liquor but the ruling PDP-BJP alliance was divided over the issue. 

Saroori questioned the opposition of BJP members to bills seeking ban on liquor with the argument the BJP government in Gujrat the home state of Prime Minister Modi has already banned liquor. He also said that several BJP rule states have also based interests. “It is a matter of conscience, let members support this bill as alcohol has ruined our youth and given bad name to the society,” Saroori said. He said when incumbent Law minister was in opposition he had also moved this bill. “We committed a mistake by disallowing your bill as it landed us on this side (Opposition). You should not repeat our mistake,” Saroori told Law minister Haq Khan. Replying to Saroori, Haq Khan told the House that government would take up both bills for consideration. “Government has no objection if the bill is introduced for consideration by the government,” he said. The bill was put to vote for consideration by the government which the house passed in the assembly.

Saroori also raises demanded appointment of Chowkidars in all Panchayat Ghars of the State and also urged the government to give preference to one of the member of the land owners who donated their land for construction of Panchayat Ghars besides this Saroori highlighted the service deficit in PHE sector in Kishtwar district and demanded up-gradation and further streamlining the supply scenario and speedy completion of on-going schemes

No comments:

Post a Comment