M A I N   N E W S

book scam
Centre says will recover ‘embezzled’ funds from Punjab
Aditi Tandon/TNS

Norms allow for funds stoppage HRD Ministry officials said norms allow for stoppage of funds and recoveries in the event of violations. A Central team found that the Punjab Govt violated the norm which mandates decentralised procurement of books by school management committees. The books were, however, purchased by a three-member committee set up by Maluka The HRD Ministry has sent the report of the Central fact-finding team to the Punjab government for comments.

New Delhi, July 19
The Centre has decided to recover money embezzled by Punjab from the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) funds in case it is not satisfied with the response of the Punjab Government in the wrongful procurement of school library books and science kits by the state government.

The Tribune on Thursday reported the indictment of Punjab Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka in the book scam where close to Rs 41.68 lakh were spent by the state education department on purchases of school library books for elementary level schools. Top officials in the Ministry of Human Resource Development said the SSA and the RMSA guidelines allow for stoppage of funds to states as well as recoveries from state specific funds in the event of violations.

A team set up by the Central Ministry has found that the Punjab Government violated norm 19 of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which mandates decentralised procurement of books by school management committees. The books were, however, purchased in Punjab by a three-member committee which Maluka set up.

“We would prefer to recover the misappropriated amount from the SSA funds of Punjab. Stoppage of funds is an option but it does not serve anyone’s interest.

The idea is to protect students’ interest. Sealing of fund flow would harm the interest of children. Recovery of wrongfully spent money is a better option,” said a top Ministry official. The HRD Ministry has sent the report of the Central fact-finding team to the Punjab government for comments. It will decide on the future course of action after receiving the state’s response.

“If we are not satisfied with the response of the state, options of action are open,” ministry officials told TNS.