Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Days after being cornered by the Opposition in the alleged SC post-matric scholarship scam, the Congress government has stepped up its efforts to counter the reports on the disbursal of funds.
On the other hand, a three-member committee of officers constituted by the Chief Secretary to probe the matter started its work today. It is expected to submit findings at the earliest.
Scholarship Scam
3-member panel constituted by Chief Secy starts work
It is expected to submit findings at the earliest
Social Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot today questioned the report on the scam submitted by his Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Kirpa Shankar Saroj.
Questioning the report in which his name has figured, Dharamsot, in a press conference, said he was being framed and he was not even aware about the probe being conducted by his department officials and had not been kept in the loop. “I have not even been provided a copy of the inquiry report by my ACS,” said the minister.
Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Social Welfare Minister
Minister questions report
How can Rs 39 crore go to ghost institutions? Every single penny paid through banks and treasury is accountable. There is no scam during our government. It happened during the previous Akali government when the ACS headed the department from 2015 to 2017.
Reposing faith in the Chief Minister, Dharamsot said he had full trust in the inquiry being conducted by the Chief Secretary, as the truth would come out. Though the minister could not explain as to how he could be framed in his own government, he said the ACS had not made any effort to track the trail of the scholarship amount.
“How can Rs 39 crore go to ghost institutions? Every single penny paid through banks and treasury is accountable. There is no scam during our government. The scam happened during previous Akali government when the ACS headed the department from 2015 to 2017,” Dharamsot claimed.
On the name of Deputy Director Parminder Gill figuring in the scam and the allegation that he stalled his suspension, the minister said he had asked the ACS to provide documents for his suspension. “Till date I have not been given the reply by the ACS”, said Dharamsot, adding that if any officer within his department had violated any rule in disbursal of the funds, he would have to face the music.
Political Secretary to the CM Capt Sandeep Sadhu, who was present in the press conference, defended the minister. “Let the Chief Secretary’s report be submitted, truth would come out”, said Sandhu.
