Two more officials suspended: Madarsa Scandal

​Hyderabad: Two officials were suspended on Saturday in connection with the huge financial scandal related to Madarsas in the city.

Deputy Inspector of Schools, Bahadurpura-II, Syed Asgar Ali and the Superintendent of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Ramesh were placed under suspension with immediate effect, officials said.

According to officials, Asgar Ali had certified the attendance of Vidya Volunteers and the students in three Madarsas for the year 2015-16, while Ramesh gave his consent for the bills submitted by the Madarsas for the release of funds towards honorarium for the Vidya Volunteers.

However, during the internal enquiry ordered by the Director of School Education-cum-State Project Director (SPD) SSA G Kishan, it was found that Asgar Ali had certified the attendance of the Vidya Volunteers for three Madarsas which actually come under the jurisdiction of Ranga Reddy District.

It was also found in the enquiry that two out of the three Madarsas certified by Asgar Ali were not in existence and were bogus. Similarly, it was found in the enquiry that Ramesh, superintendent of SSA, gave his consent for the release of funds for the fake Madarsas.

With the latest suspensions, the total number of officials suspended in connection with Madarsa scandal reached nine. Earlier, seven officials – four deputy inspectors of schools and three employees of the SSA were suspended.

While the department continues to suspend small fish, the higher-ups of the school education department are backing out on suspending the then District Educational Officer (DEO)-cum-Project Officer (PO), SSA, M Somi Reddy, though his involvement in the financial irregularities was established beyond any doubts.

Though instructions were issued to the district authorities including the District Collector, who is the chairman of SSA at the district level, to lodge a criminal case against Somi Reddy and other accused for siphoning off public funds, the District Collector chose to throw the ball into the court of the government apparently to wash his handsoff the issue.

On the other hand, the head of the department and director of school education, G Kishan told The Hans India that the district collector could have lodged the complaint. He also said that he cannot do that since he was not the competent authority.

He admitted that Somi Reddy did violate the guidelines and instructions and resorted to misappropriation of public funds. “I have sent my remarks to the government recommending action against Somi Reddy,” Kishan had told The Hans India a few days ago.