Scholarship Fund' for minorities: Misappropriation of around Rs 10 crore

* CID apprehends 21 persons from four districts

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A scam of around Rs 10 crore connected to the 'Pre-Matric Scholarship Fund' for minority students has been unearthed in the State. The CID (Criminal Investigation Department) has already apprehended 21 persons including four Head Masters, a teacher, the president of a School Management Committee, owners of three CSPs (Customer Service Points), two personnel working as EDPs (Electronic Data Processors), and 10 middlemen from four districts in this regard.

This scam is related to the misappropriation of the Central fund meant for student beneficiaries for the fiscals 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. It has been found that many undeserving students have been enjoying the funds.

Implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, this scheme is meant for students who secure 50% marks in their previous examinations. The annual income of their parents or guardians should not exceed Rs 1 lakh. Such students studying from Classes 1 to X can apply online at the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). To improve transparency in the scheme, the scholarship amount is transferred to the bank accounts of the respective students via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Dwelling on the scam, CID IGP (Inspector General of Police) Surendra Kumar said here on Monday, "An FIR was filed by Mahmood Hassan — the Director of 'Assam Minority Development Board' and State Nodal Officer for the 'Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities' — on August 28. That very day, a case ( 20/ 2020 U/S l20(B)/ 406/ 409/ 419/ 420/ 468/ 471 IPC) was registered at the CID Police Station.

"Several operations are being carried out with the support of local police at a number of places in the districts of Goalpara, Darrang, Kamrup, and Dhubri since Sunday evening. Of the 21 persons apprehended till Monday, seven are from Goalpara and Darrang; six in Kamrup; and one in Dhubri. There are two women also."

The apprehended persons from Goalpara are FulborRahman of Rakhyamari in Mornoi, SulamanHussain of Matia, KabirHussain of Matia, HafizaKhatoon of Buduchar in Matia, SeikhNazrul Islam of Rakhyamari in Mornoi, ShajidaKhatoon of Nepalikhuti in Mornoi, and AbidaKhatoon of Nayapara.

The seven apprehended persons from Darrang are Haidar Ali Ahmed, President of Nabajyoti Pre-Senior Madrassa in Sipajhar; Burhan Ali, Head Master of Nabajyoti Pre-Senior Madrassa in Sipajhar; Md. ManoharBadsha, Head Master of Achintola High School in Kharupetia; Md. Shamahmud Imran Ali, Assistant Teacher of Achintola High School in Kharupetia; Md. JakirHussain of Kharupetia; Md. Sumsuddin Ahmed of Kharupetia; and Md. Achimuddin of Kharupetia.

The six persons apprehended from Kamrup are NurMohommad Ali, NurAlom and SirajulHaque (from Chaygaon); Hanifuddin Ahmed and Mahmud MahbuburRahman (from Nagarbera); and Shohidul Islam from Boko.

Burhanuddin Ahmed was apprehended from Bidyapara in Dhubri district.

CID IGP Kumar further said, "During the search operation conducted in the house of HafizaKhatoon, wife of Jamir Ali of village Buduchar in Matia, several items were seized. "The items include three laptops, 217 photographs of students; 104 certificates of bonafide students; 173 Pre-matric scholarship application forms; and 11 Bank passbooks. The case is under investigation."

Kumar pointed out, "In fiscal 2018-2019, an amount of Rs 60,88,72,724 was disbursed for 2,37,836 beneficiaries under the scheme. In 2019-2020, there were 2,75,651 beneficiaries of the scheme across Assam. The Central government disbursed Rs 161,14,31,086 during this period."

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