By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, April 25: The School Management and Development Committee (SMDC), Ukhrul district on Friday appealed to the state government for early settlement of misappropriated funds meant for construction of primary school buildings in different villages of the district.
Though the government has properly released the second instalment funds for the construction of another six EGS upgraded primary schools for the district, disbursement of the first instalment fund for 10 schools is still pending as the same has been fraudulently credited into fictitious SMDC account, said Ramyo Zingkhai, president SMDC Ukhrul during a press conference held at Phungreitang here today.
Alleging that the first instalment fund amounting to Rs 99,82,900 was misappropriated by DPM, SSA Ukhrul Ringshan Shaiza and AI, Wilson Riphung under fake/adhoc SMDC, he questioned why the government has not initiated any legal actions against the erring officers who have openly flouted SSA norms.
He further revealed that SDC Ch Kuileng had conducted verification regarding the fraudulent withdrawal of funds for the ten schools in February this year.
“As per the verification report there were a number of loopholes in the transaction of fund as against the stipulated criteria. We had even petitioned the DC to look into the matter but to no avail,” he rued.
Taking strong exception to the manner in which contract works have been awarded to any persons ignoring the long sufferers education volunteers (EV) who have struggled for years, Ramyo said that this is not permissible under SSA norms but it has been made possible only through political interference.
Mention may be made here that there are a total of 41 SMDC schools in the district which have been upgraded from EGS in 2011-12 through the state cabinet approval.
Out of which, funds for 10 schools were sanctioned on February 13, 2014 while funds for another six schools were sanctioned again on March 3, 2014.
Meanwhile, SMDC Ukhrul has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Tangkhul Frontal Organizations (TFO) for their cooperation and espousal of the genuine cause of the SMDC.