Senior Central officer to conduct ‘inquiry’

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1

Audit of Rs 1,056 cr too on the cards

• A SAD delegation meets Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot in Delhi, claims assurance from him of an audit of Rs1,056 crore sent to the Punjab Government for disbursement as scholarship to Dalit students

The Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment will depute an officer of the rank of Chief Secretary or even senior to probe the SC scholarship scam and has assured to conduct an audit of Rs 1,056 crore sent to the Punjab Government for disbursement as scholarship to Dalit students.

This was claimed by a delegation of senior SAD leaders and legislators which met Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum to him in relation to the scam.

The delegation said the minister had given them this assurance after learning that the Punjab Government had entrusted the inquiry into the scam to the state Chief Secretary. It said the minister also assured of considering recommending a CBI inquiry into the entire issue.

The delegation also handed over the report of the State Additional Chief Secretary who blew the lid off the scam and brought the role of Social Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot under scanner over irregularities. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash was also present on the occasion.

Led by SC wing president Gulzar Singh Ranike, the SAD delegation told the Union Minister they didn't expect the probe ordered by the CM to be free and fair. Another delegation member, Pawan Kumar Tinu, sought a mechanism to ensure fair disbursal of SC scholarship funds to the tune of Rs 309 crore.

from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2GkTJxP