Vigilance Organization Jammu booked three persons of the Education department Arnas on Tuesday on charges of corruption.
“The three have been identified as S Pardeep Singh, then ZEO Arnas, and John Mohammed, then Teacher/In-charge Head Master Government Middle School Dharian/Convenor Village Education Committee Upper Thuroo and private contractor Haji Khushi Mohammed,” a press handout said.
It further said, “The instant case was registered on the basis of verification conducted in Vigilance Organization Jammu into a complaint against the above mentioned public servants and others which include private contractor, alleging therein that the funds for the construction of the building of Government Middle School, Upper Kund, Tehsil Thuroo, Reasi under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme have been drawn in full by the persons, whereas the work of the said building was carried out only up to plinth level.”
In the complaint, it was further alleged that sub-standard material was used in the plinth work of the building.
On carrying out investigations, the VOJ found that an amount of Rs 7,45,000 was sanctioned as the estimated cost for the construction of 3-room Additional Classroom (ACR) building of GMS Upper Kund under SSA. “Accordingly, S Pardeep Singh, then ZEO Arnas, initially transferred an amount of Rs 3,80,000 in two installments in year 2011 and 2012 into the official account of Head Master GMS Dharian for construction of the above mentioned school building,” the handout read.
It further read, “However, John Mohammed, in a well knit conspiracy hatched with S Pardeep Singh and Contractor Khushi Mohammed, released an excess amount of Rs 3,80,000 during the year 2011-12 in favour of Khushi Mohammed, for the construction work of the building against due amount of Rs 2,00,000 only. Khushi Mohammed left the construction mid-way (in June 2012) and even after receipt of 2nd installment of payment for which he had to raise construction from above plinth level to linter level, didn’t complete the task.”
On the prima facie establishment of allegations, a case has been registered at VOJ Police Station and investigation is under progress.