Fund released for ghost schools, alleges AMSU
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 16 2021:
While alleging that buildings of some schools were found either missing or remained incomplete despite withdrawal of fund for construction under the SSA programme at different locations in Heirok AC of Thoubal district, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has asked if the government will remain silent spectator even after being made a mockery of its 'School Fagathansi Mission'.
According to AMSU general secretary Bikramjit Thongam, a team of AMSU inspected some schools in Heirok AC covered by ZEO Zone-Ill under its 'Campaign for total education' to ascertain if funds released by the government under different schemes reach students or are utilised purposefully.
The AMSU teamfouna two schools in different plac'es of Heirok without any building though fund for the same were released while building of one school remained incomplete and left unattended.
Fund for construction of building of all the three schools were released in 2012-13 under SSA and the schools are Engalok Macha Primary School at Heirok Engalok Macha, Melei Tampak Primary School at Heirok Melei Tampak and Eangalok Achouba Primary School at Heirok Engalok Achouba.
No building for Engalok and Melei Tampak primary schools were found constructed when the AMSU team conducted spot inspection while building for Eangalok Achouba Primary School was found incomplete and filled with tall grasses.
The fund sanctioned for construction of Engalok Macha Primary School was Rs 32,84,000 but Rs 24,30,837 had been found withdrawn by Kh Premkumar, L Jiban and Th Subol.
Total amount earmarked for construction of Melei Tampak Primary School was Rs 32,84,000 but an amount of Rs 15,68,846 was found to have been withdrawn by N Gunadhor and H Loken without constructing the building.
The building for Eangalok Achouba Primary School too was found incomplete but an amount of Rs 6,00,000 had been already withdrawn from Rs 8,00,000 earmarked for the school building by three people, namely Kh Hemanta, Subhas and Lembi Devi and the school is presently covered with tall grasses, Bikramjit informed media persons at its AMSU office here on Tuesday.
ZEO Thoubal had lodged a complaint in this regard to OC of Heirok PS on September 27, 2018 but what action had taken could not be immediately ascertained, Bikramjit said and asked if government will remain as silent spectator when its funds were being misused.