Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) is a Central Government Plan under which 100% grants are given to the States with objective is to give a thrust to family oriented schemes for economic development of Scheduled Castes, by providing resources for filling the critical gaps and for providing missing vital inputs. The funds under the scheme are non-divertible and non-lapsable and are to be utilized to ensure direct benefits to individual or families belonging to Scheduled Castes. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare allocated Rs 1.2 crores to ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management (ICAR-NIASM), Baramati under this plan for betterment of Scheduled Caste community through provisions of agricultural inputs, trainings/education, etc. In a shocking revelation the sources have confirmed that the institute officers namely, Director Narendra Pratap Singh, Senior Administrative Officer Bablu Sinha, Finance and Accounts Officer Kamlesh Meena have illegally diverted the funds to the tune of Rs 28 lakhs towards construction of two new school buildings. Again Rs 50 lakhs were diverted to CPWD for new residential complex. The petty works such as purchase of shed net, flooring of compost unit, construction of waste disposal unit were also done through SCSP fund to the tune of Rs 7 lakhs. In total Rs 80 lakhs were wrongfully diverted to gain hefty commissions which were shared amongst these officers. It is being discussed in the Scheduled Caste community that the diversion of fund to the contractors is only for making money and commission. It is understood that the regular Finance and Accounts Officer appointed by headquarters has been side-lined and Kamlesh Meena, a Scientist facing departmental enquiry for financial irregularity has been given charge of Finance and Accounts Officer of ICAR-NIASM. This arrangement is made for getting financial concurrence from him on all illegal financial matters and dealings. The Chairman SCSP committee, Jagdish Rane is in hand in gloves with these three officers so as to effectively support their financial misappropriation of SCSP funds. The entire episode has led to the suppression of the developmental opportunities of the Scheduled Caste Agricultural farmers in contrast to the aim of Modi government. The Scheduled Caste agricultural community is deeply hurt and there is rising demand for high level enquiry in the malafide diversion of SCSP funds and deprivation of benefits to SC community. Such activities of financial irregularities lead to farmer suicides in Maharashtra as these schemes are not reaching the intended beneficiaries. The Scheduled Caste community has decided to approach Honourable President of India Shri Ramanath Kovindji, Shri Thawarchandji Gehlot, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdasji Athawale, State Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Sharadchandraji Pawar, MP Rajya Sabha, Smt Supriyatai Sule, MP Lok Sabha.
Comment List