CBI probe demanded into Rs 20K cr education scam

TNN | Oct 21, 2011, 04.34AM IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/CBI-probe-demanded-into-Rs-20K-cr-education-scam/articleshow/10435281.cms

YAVATMAL: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena ( MNS) and other social organizations have demanded a CBI probe into bogus enrolment figures in state aided schools, which has allegedly cost the state Rs 20,000 crore.
The statewide survey of students in Standard I to XII conducted between October 3 to 5 this year under the direct supervision of district collectors has reportedly exposed a scam worth Rs 20,000 crore. All this money was pocketed by school managements by showing inflated figures of enrolment.
Sources in the education department said Yavatmal alone has bogus enrolment of over 90,000 students. However, district collector Shravan Hardikar only said the data has already been submitted to the state. He refused to give the exact number of bogus students found in the district. "I cannot spell out the nature of action to be taken against the managements guilty of maintaining exaggerated rolls," Hardikar said, adding that he is waiting for the state's directives.
Meanwhile, district president of students wing of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Anil Hamdapure has sent a memorandum to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, demanding criminal cases against school managements, headmasters and district education officers for cheating the government.
Hamdapure also said the managements exaggerated student figures and then got permission to appoint more teachers by auctioning these posts. He said these teachers should also be sacked and salary paid to them recovered from the school management.
President of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti Kishor Tiwari has also moved a plea before Prime MinisterManmohan Singh demanding a CBI probe into the Rs 20,000 crore education scam, or threatened to approach the high court with a public interest litigation.
Kishor Tiwari said most schools and colleges are under the management of political leaders, who are making hectic efforts to hush up the issue. "Yavatmal is the home district of former education minister Vasant Purke and current education minister Rajendra Darda, and the government should book all politicians for cheating the government and pinching public money," he said.