Srinagar, Nov 10: A Sarpanch in Budgam has allegedly managed a fake school certificate to facilitate a job for his daughter-in-law at a newly established Anganwadi centre in Ganaie Mohalla, Khampora Sarai in Nagam block of the central Kashmir district.
 The Sarpanch, sources said, allegedly obtained a fake school leaving certificate of class 8th and in connivance with officials of Integrated Child Development Scheme office (ICDS) Nagam, facilitated the job of a helper in the Centre.

BACKGROUND
 Documents available with Greater Kashmir obtained under RTI Act (including fake school leaving certificate) reveal that an Anganwadi centre was to be established in Ganaie Mohalla of Khampora Sarai village of Nagam block in Budgam district. The post of Anganwadi worker and helper were advertised by the ICDS office Nagam few months back and the appointment of worker was done as per merit. For the helper’s job, few women of the area also applied and the criteria for the appointment was fixed as middle pass (class 8th) by the government.

ABOUT FAKE CERTIFICATE
 In order to get his illiterate daughter-in-law appointed in the Centre, the Sarpanch allegedly managed to get the fake class 8th pass certificate from Government High School Arigam in Khansahib Tehsil of Budgam, which is the native place of the candidate Mumtaza Bano daughter of Abdul Gani Waza. The certificate was verified by the Project Officer ICDS Nagam block through the Headmaster Government High School Arigam Budgam vide her letter No: ICDS/Nag/150 dated 2.7.2011 and a letter was issued by Government High School Arigam Budgam vide no: GHSA/12/38 dated 12.7.2011 wherein the Headmaster says that the certificate had been verified by undersigned and found correct.
 However, as per reports, there is no Government High School in Arigam Budgam this time. There was a High School in the area which was upgraded to Higher Secondary School in the year 2005 which indicates that the certificate issued is a fake one.
 The question arises who actually got the certificate verified from the Head Master? Some people allege that some officials in ICDS office Nagam are involved in it.

SCHOOL EDUCATION DEPTT CONFIRMS
 Another candidate, Zamrooda Akhtar, who had also applied for the post claims that she actually deserved the job. She has obtained copies of all the documents submitted by Mumtaza Bano, under RTI Act, through her brother Mushtaq Ahmad. Mushtaq took the documents which included fake school leaving certificate to the Director School Education who got the matter probed through Chief Education Officer (CEO) Budgam and the CEO vide his letter No: CEOB/Estt/NT/2011/12910 Dated 4.11.2011 made it clear that the school leaving certificate obtained by Mumtaza Bano is fake. “In spite of the proof, the ICDS officials are not sealing the Anganwadi centre established in the Sarpanch’s house and the department has failed to take any action against those involved in the act. I want crime branch to register a case in this matter and arrest all the involved people including the Sarpanch,” Mushtaq added.

ANOTHER FAKE CERTIFICATE CASE
 Pertinent to mention here that ICDS office Nagam has established another Anganwadi centre in the house of Khurshee Begum, a resident of village Brinjan in Budgam. The woman, who is almost 60-years-old, has also allegedly obtained a fake certificate from Government High School Hayatpora Chadoora. As per school records, Khurshee’s age is shown 36 years as on this date and she is illiterate. Some senior citizens of the Brinjan village including Sarpanch who have given in writing and the documents are also available with Greater Kashmir. This is done at the behest of local MLA a local resident of Brinjan told Greater Kashmir demanding probe into it.

ICDS PROGRAMME OFFICER SAYS
 Programme officer ICDS Budgam, Nazir Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that he has not received the verification report of CEO Budgam yet. “Once it comes to me I will ensure that the Anganwadi Centre is closed and matter probed,” Nazir Ahmad added.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST