Dimapur, June 2 (EMN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers' Organisation (NVCO) has called 'shameful' the alleged embezzlement of funds by an education department, this time stating to involve misuse of students' scholarship funds.
The NVCO issued a press release to the media demanding that the government take action against those involved.
Also, the organisation has expressed support to the All Nagaland College Students' Union (ANCSU), a group demanding action against an official of the Technical Education department.
'The NVCO extends its full support to the ANCSU’s protest against the misuse of scholarships meant for thousand students...(It is a fight) for the welfare of students and a bright future,' the organisation stated.
The misuse of scholarship involving "crores of rupees" by the directorate of Technical Education, is not only illegal "but it is very shameful."
The authorities must take severe action against "all the employees in the department" involved in the "scholarship loan scam," the NVCO stated.
Observing that "something is very seriously wrong" with the directorate of Technical Education, the NVCO asserted that an official had admitted that funds amounting to INR 1.32 crore was 'adjusted' (sic) for 'unforeseen expenditure.' This is illegal, the organisation stated.
The NVCO has expressed support to the ANCSU’s demand that the department's director resign.
"This is an eye-opener to general public where sometime government simply remain silent and failed to work as a welfare state. If the director don’t resign then the government must suspend him followed with other employees involves in the scam."
The NVCO also highlighted some reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) which was presented before the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The press release mentioned the 'diversion/suspected misappropriation of scholarship funds" in the Technical Education department.
The NVCO stated: "As per report, INR.56.12 lakh from the funds for scholarship schemes were diverted for private use and the INR.51.87 lakh was suspected to be misappropriated as there were no records for utilisation. Education and bank statement solely operated for transaction of scholarship funds revealed that the amount of INR.1.32 crore out of the balance of INR.1.49 crore was utilised for purposes other than scholarship - INR. 35 lakh utilised as admission fee of three candidates belonging to the backward tribes of Nagaland for MBBS course and consultancy fee, INR.40.01 lakh utilised for purchase for farewell function of retired director etc."
The CAG is stated to have asked the department to lodge complaints against the officials in concern for diversion or 'suspected misappropriation' but there is "no action from the department," the press release added.
