KL Report
SRINAGAR
Another case of corruption in the state Thursday got unearthed at North Kashmir’s Lolab district where the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) has allegedly disbursed more than eight lakh rupees from the state exchequer for the construction of the school building that was already in place.
The reports received by Kashmir News Service (KNS) mentioned that the state authorities approve Rs. 18 Lakh for the construction of the primary school at Astan Butto Lolab. The school was required to have the facility of three rooms at least, so that the local children in the area could be admitted for the primary education.
The reports further mention that some 2 months earlier, ZEO Lolab Abdul Khaliq Kumar passed the work order for the construction of the primary school in favor of the local sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Shah and has disbursed the payment to him through cheques. One cheque was issued to him on 29-10-2013 of Rs.5 lakh and another of Rs. 3 lakh on 12-11-2013.
The locals of the area allege that the local sarpanch has converted his property into the primary school. The locals further accuse that the earlier three ZEOs have been transferred only because that they did not pass work order in Sarpanch’s favor.
The present ZEO when contacted said that the building was feasible for the primary school but however confessed that the actual approved drawings according to which the building was scheduled to be constructed differ from the building.
The locals later brought the case in the notice of the Deputy commissioner Kupwara and asked for the early action in this matter.
The Chief Education Officer Kupwara recently inspected the building where he reportedly has seized the official records at the office of the ZEO. Two principles of Higher Secondary Sogam and Takipora have been appointed as the investigation officers who have been directed to submit the investigation report within the period of 7 days.
CEO Kupwara when contacted by KNS said that on the reception of the complaint into the matter, the department has initiated the inquiry and that the further action is expected only after the submission of the inquiry report.
