Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a nationwide educational programme to provide free and compulsory education for every child in India between 6-14 years of age and to achieve this the Govt’ of India has already spent tens of thousands of Crores on infrastructures such as constructing new school buildings or upgradation of existing ones, providing drinking water, toilets, etc.
Like the rest of the country, SSA under Directorate of School Education, Nagaland sanctioned Rs. 15, 70,354/- Lakhs (rupees fifteen lakhs seventy thousand three hundred and fifty four only) each for construction of Government Middle Schools (GMS) upgraded from Government Primary School (GPS), in Dimapur alone there being 87 (eighty seven) GMS upgraded from GPS. This construction is being undertaken by Village Education Committees (VEC) as per SSA norms. Thus, a total of Rs. 13,66,20,798/- approx. (thirteen crores sixty six lakhs twenty thousand seven hundred and ninety eight only) has been sanctioned for Dimapur district alone to be released in 3 installments of 50%, 40% and 10%. Accordingly, work order was issued in the month of August, 2011 and school construction is in full swing utilizing the release of 1st installment of 50%.
However, it is most unfortunate and disheartening that instead of releasing the full 2nd installment of 40% amounting to Rs. 5,28,142/- (rupees five lakhs twenty eight thousand one hundred and forty one only) the Directorate of School Education released only 25% or Rs. 3,92,588/- (rupees three lakhs ninety two thousand five hundred and eighty eight only) per GMS in Dimapur district as per order NO.DEO.D/SSA/CW-02/2010-11/98 dated Dimapur, 21/12/2011. The amount of Rs. 1,25,554/- (rupees one lakh twenty five thousand five hundred and fifty four only) has been deducted at source which means that a huge sum of Rs. 1,09,23,198/- ( rupees one crore nine lakhs twenty three thousand one hundred and ninety eight only) meant for 87 GMS of Dimapur district has been illegally siphoned off. According to Directorate notice SSA/NAGA/CW-R/2009-10, dated Oct’2011, only 25% installment has been released since the department reasoned that it has to procure necessities like furniture, CGI sheets, play elements, fire extinguishers, and electrification of the schools with the deducted amount
However, as per SSA norms, the above deduction of money at source is highly illegal as the department is not empowered to do so and also supply of materials by the school department, itself or through its suppliers is not permissible under any circumstances whatsoever. The amount of Rs. 15, 70,354/- lakhs (rupees fifteen lakhs seventy thousand three hundred and fifty four only) sanctioned for the construction of every upgraded GMS school in Nagaland covers only the actual construction of the school including, electrification and CGI sheets, and providing furniture like desk and benches. The rest like play elements and fire extinguishers does not come under the above head. Also, all construction and supply of materials is done under the supervision of Village Education Committees (VEC) as per SSA norm. Also, as per the agreement between the VECs and District Mission Authority (DMA) headed by the Deputy Commissioner of the district;
1) The Village Council Chairmen is responsible for any misuse of funds during the construction of schools which are directly released to the respective VECs. Therefore, the deduction/withholding of money by the Directorate of School Education is a violation of SSA norms and an infringement of VEC authority which again defeats the very purpose of Communitisation Act implemented by the government mainly to defeat corruption in governance apart from empowering grassroots in decision making.
2) Under SSA, there is no enhancement of the already allotted funds and any additional expenditure shall be borne by the village council or the village community. Since, there is now a shortage of funds after departmental deduction, which authority is now responsible for non-completion of schools?
The Directorate of School Education acted in a highly arbitrary manner bordering on blatant corruption by deducting the 2nd installment. As such;
1. Most of the schools under construction have come to a standstill due to resource crunch in which case the VECs are not to be held responsible for non-completion of the schools.
2. It is outrageous that a huge amount of Rs. 1,25,554/- (rupees one lakh twenty five thousand five hundred and fifty four only) has been deducted by the department ostensibly to buy 8 pairs of bench and desk, 20 bundles of B-grade CGI sheets as against 26 bundles of top quality TATA brand and an absolutely unnecessary, even fictitious item- play elements such as merry-go-around which is needed only for play schools/Montessori, and not to be included under GMS construction head. Fire extinguishers though a must, however comes under a separate head and should not to be confused with construction. Electrification also comes under the purview of VEC as per SSA. (Under SSA norm, CGI sheet is brand specific. Only TATA brand is allowed unlike the inferior quality sheet distributed by RD department to villages. In case the Directorate view is allowed prevail over VEC, it will not be surprising if inferior quality sheet is supplied by the department. Also, as against 26 bundles needed to cover 120x20 roofing built under SSA specification, the department is planning to supply only 20 bundles of CGI sheets, again a violation of SSA norms which will lead to incomplete roofing of newly built incomplete buildings. Also, departmental suppliers are charging Rs. 5000 per bundle for inferior quality CGI sheets whereas SSA specified TATA brand costs much lower for the same quantity. Also it has to notice that a Procurement Committee of 4 members has already been selected by the department).
3. It is also beyond the understanding of public leaders/VECs why this day light robbery is been carried out only in Dimapur district?
The Minister of School Education himself is appealed to look into this serious issue as the future of our children cannot be compromised at any cost. The Chief Minister is also requested to look into matter as the Directorate of School Education by its illegal act is encroaching into the powers of Village Councils/VECs by violating Communitisation Act passed by the Government of Nagaland. The Hon’ble Minister, Education is requested to undertake a tour of all the affected schools under Dimapur district so that the withheld amount can be released at the earliest for early completion of all pending construction works. Unless this is done, the start of the academic year will be considerably delayed resulting in irreparable loss to the student community. Also, government departments in general are warned not to indulge in blatant embezzlement of funds mean for the common man as such may warrant arrest or prosecution under relevant sections of the law. In this RTI age, politicians or bureaucrats are requested to practice propriety in public life.
Chairman
Medovie Koza
V.E.C. Zani
Shozukhu
S Ghozheto GB
Shozukhu village
Imkongonen
chairman
village education committee
Dubagaon Dimapur
K Aning Zimik
chairman
Village education committee
Purana Bazaar B
