Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell intensifies probe into SCERT scam

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell (SVC) has intensified probe into the alleged financial anomalies and fund misappropriation to the tune of Rs 105 crore in the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Assam in the name of offering Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) course under Open Distance Learning (ODL).

The alleged financial irregularities took place between 2017 to 2022. Today, sleuths of the CM’s Special Vigilance Cell seized some files from the office of the SCERT and also conducted operations in Rangia and Dalgaon. After the allegations of financial anomalies surfaced, the Assam Government suspended IAS officer Sewali Devi Sarma, Secretary to the Assam Government, Agriculture Department. She was the then in-charge Director of SCERT, Assam. Besides Sewali Devi Sarma, the CM’s SVC has also interrogated a former deputy director, a fourth grade employee, an accountant and a dealing assistant of SCERT in connection with these allegations.

Sources said that the initial probe has revealed that Sewali Devi Sarma had opened five bank accounts during her tenure as in-charge Director of SCERT, Assam. She allegedly transferred funds from these official bank accounts to the accounts of other employees and then withdrew the money from those accounts.

As per National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) guidelines, 22 centres were opened in Assam under SCERT which would offer Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) course under Open Distance Learning (ODL). Besides these, 59 centres should have also been opened.

However, sources said that Sewali Devi Sarma flouted guidelines and rules and started 347 centres for D.El.Ed course under Open Distance Learning (ODL) – 288 more than the number of centres for which the NCTE had given permission. Moreover, it was shown on record that around 1.06 lakh trainees had received D.El.Ed training in the centres. Accordingly, there should have over 23 lakh answer sheets. But probe has revealed that the number of trainees who received training had been manipulated. Also, many of the centres started for D.El.Ed course under Open Distance Learning (ODL) were allegedly fake.

SCERT, Assam had floated many tenders for various works. An amount of Rs 54 crore had been released for works like construction of smart classrooms, renovation of the office of the SCERT, deep tube well installation etc. Sources said that 80% of the contracts were allegedly awarded to Sewali Devi Sarma’s family member and 20% of the contracts were given to four other contractors. The CM’s SVC and the Assam Public Works Department (PWD) are assessing the construction works that have been completed. Sources further said that Rs 30 lakh had allegedly been transferred to six unknown accounts.

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