DESAM alleges fund misuse
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2016:
A substantial amount of fund sanctioned by UGC for opening vocational courses at L Sanoi College, Nambol under National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) has been misappropriated, alleged DESAM.
Speaking to mediapersons at their Keishampat office this evening, DESAM secretary general Nameirakpam Edison said that software and sericulture courses were opened since the 2015-16 academic session under NSQF at L Sanoi College.
For these vocational course, Bachelor of Vocational Courses Committee was formed with Education (U) Additional Director RK Yaiskul, L Sanoi College Principal Dr Gopal and Head of Department, Zoology Dr Oinam Lukoi as course coordinators.
Out of the intake capacity of 50 seats, only 25 applicants were selected for sericulture course.
Likewise only 15 applicants were selected as against the total sanctioned seats of 25 for software course.
The total estimated cost for the scheme is Rs 1.85 crore.
Out of the total amount, Rs 65 lakh has been already released.
The amount released so far was not used properly and this was detected in the course of an independent investigation carried out by a team of DESAM, Edison said.
Even as Rs 6 lakh was sanctioned for renovation of computer laboratory, nothing was done on ground.
Rs 5 lakh was sanctioned for engaging guest faculty members but only around Rs 2/3 lakh was used.
Rs 12.10 lakh was sanctioned for purchasing sericulture equipment but no equipment was procured.
Again, Rs 5.75 lakh was sanctioned for installation of 25 computer sets but the installation work started only when the DESAM team began their investigation, Edison continued.
He then questioned if the Education (U) Additional Director and the College Principal did not make any enquiries when these amounts were released.
Edison also urged the authority concerned not to authorise anyone to draw the remaining amount of Rs 1.20 crore until and unless works which commensurate to the amount (Rs 65 lakh) already released are executed.
He added that they would start investigating into all colleges where similar courses are opened under UGC.