JOIN US'Commonwealth' story of SSA in Chamarajanagar
Apart from flouting the norms, the officers of Department of Public Instructions have clearly left a lot to be desired, in the works that were aimed at creating facilities for specially-abled.
Money has also been brazenly drawn without any child being operated, though it was meant for remedial surgery on children. Funds set aside for home-based education too have been misused.
These cases were brought to light by the facts obtained by Secretary of District Association for Specially-abled persons, under RTI act. The facts are proven beyond doubt in the reply Kumar has been provided with.
Bloating accounts
Just as it happened with Commonwealth games where the organising committee bought materials for rates way beyond prevailing market prices for similar stuff, a wheelchair was procured for Rs 10,600 as against Rs 6,000 in the market.
A cycle that costs Rs 5,650 in any shop in the market, has been procured for Rs 11,700.
The heights of irresponsibility has been proven beyond doubt with a visually impaired student Rangaswamy of Dadadahalli being given wheelchair, which is rendered useless.
Though Rs four lakh has been mentioned as expenses incurred on procuring tools and vehicles, a report submitted to Commissioner of Disabled says Rs 1.50 lakh was spent on this. A bill by vendor agency Vivekananda Surgicals says the total amount stands at Rs 4,31,917.
No accurate information
The department has not provided information on specially-abled children. Though one official record says the total number of such children is 1,816 in the district, the zonal document on education puts it at 1,859. Contradictions galore continues with education department stating only children between 6 and 14 years were provided with facilities and support system, but it was extended to persons up to 20-years-of-age as well.
Along with this, children with similar names in all taluks have been registered, indicating there has been obvious duplicating of names.
Irregularities in honorarium
Irregularities continue even in the honourarium given to volunteers and teachers too. Though Rs 6.4 lakh has been mentioned as salary paid to teachers, majority of them have not been paid.
Money has been swindled under the headers as training, publicity material, printing, Zilla Darshana programme, volunteers’ remuneration too.
Most teachers have been paid part of the stipulated salary which is Rs 9,000 plus Rs 1,000 for commuting. However, a mere Rs 5,000 is being paid without taking any documentary evidence such as a signature on vouchers.
Exhibiting these documents for everyone’s benefit at the Adalat of specially-abled persons, Krishnamurthy said a comprehensive verification of department’s expenses and allocated funds should be carried out starting from 2005 -06.
‘File criminal case’
Criminal case has to be filed against officers who have committed the irregularities and beneficiaries who have been denied the facilities, should be provided with the necessary help, failing which a protest march would be organised.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr H T Chandrashekhar, ZP Deputy Secretary Goodur Bheemasena, DDPI Bellashetty, District Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Gopalakrishna, Disabled and Senior Citizens’ Welfare Officer Revanesh and others were present.
Summons to 12 persons
State commissioner for disabilities K V Rajanna said that summons have been issued to 12 persons, who have been accused of dereliction of duty in providing assistance to 12 physically challenged students under the Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana.
Addressing a media conference in Chamarajanagar on Monday, commissioner Rajanna said that funds have been withdrawn in the name of Siddaraju of Tavarekatte Mole and Shivamurthy of Konanakere, without providing them any facilities. Grants have been misused in 12 cases.
Inquiry
An inquiry would be held within three months and summons have been issued to Deputy Director of Public Instruction and Block Education Officer.
In the present academic year, the government has released Rs 54 lakh has been released under the community based education scheme, said district public education department deputy director Bellashetty.
Of the total grants, Rs 24 lakh would be allotted to employee wages and Rs three lakh would be set aside for procuring equipment, Bellashetty added.