VB to probe ‘bungling’ of scholarship funds by Samana education college

The commission had got a complaint from BEd and ETT students about charging illegal fees from students of the SC category and defrauding them by spreading misinformation about free admissions.

PATIALA: The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has ordered a vigilance bureau (VB) probe against private Nancy College of Education, Samana, for allegedly bungling funds worth ₹17.5 lakh meant for scholarships to students of minority communities.

Rajesh Bagha, chairman of the commission, said the vigilance probe was ordered after the commission conducted an inquiry into the matter at its own level.

SC STUDENTS’ COMPLAINT

“The commission had received a complaint from BEd and ETT students of the college regarding levying of illegal fees on the students belonging to the scheduled caste (SC) category and defrauding them by spreading misinformation about free admissions,” Bagha said.

He added that the Patiala district welfare office was asked to investigate the matter and it found that the college bungled the scholarship funds received from the Punjab government and the Centre. WELFARE OFFICE INQUIRY FINDINGS

“It was also found that the college management charged fees amounting to ₹39,950 per annum from at least 44 students and no receipt for the same was issued. Similarly, each student from the SC category was made to pay ₹ 6,930 and no receipt was given,” Bagha said.

He added that the college management assured students that the fee would be refunded to them and deposited directly into their bank accounts by the department concerned.

He added that the management made lame excuses when students went to inquire about the scholarship amount.

MANAGEMENT’S AFFIDAVIT

“The management had allegedly filed an affidavit with the state welfare department that no fee was charged from students, therefore, the scholarship amount of over ₹17 lakh be deposited in the college bank account. On the basis of the affidavit, the department paid the college its scholarship amount,” Bagha said.

The SC panel chairman added that “It was later found that the college took money from both the students and the government as well.”

He said the complaint was also investigated by the higher education department, but the outcome was not clear.

“The complaint was looked into by Raj Singh, senior vicechairman of the commission and Prabh Dyal, member of the Scheduled Caste Commission, which proved the bungling of scholarship funds,” he said. The college management could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.