Imphal, October 27: Apart from claiming to have busted another fund embezzlement case in the State�s Education Department, Operation New Kangleipak (ONK) of the proscribed KYKL today accused former Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa and his successor L Nandakumar of sharing the booty.


The two officials

Speaking to newspersons this evening, a spokesman of the ONK contended that the latest case came to light when investigation was launched into a previous case of fund misuse out of financial provision earmarked for implementation of the Central Govt sponsored Mid-day Meal Scheme.

Charging SPF Govt of patronizing corruption and corrupt elements in the Education Department, the spokesperson said during the ONK probe involvement of top officials of the Zonal Education Office, Zone-II Imphal East in the case has been detected.

Naming one of the fraud officials as Zone-II DDO Yurembam Inaocha (50) of Heirangoithong Bazar and its cashier Khaidem Muhindro (53) of Kongpal Khaidem Leikai, the ONK spokesperson informed that since one Gita assumed charge as Additional Director of Education (Schools) two phases of Mid Day meal funds were allocated by the Centre.

The second instalment received in May this year totals over Rs 34.23 lakhs out of which Rs 13.28 lakhs had been disbursed for payment to cooks engaged in the scheme.

From the remaining amount (Rs 20.74 lakhs approx.) the Director of Education (S) who is also the Bigyanmandir Officer of the same Department and identified as RK Tenedy of Yaiskul Janmasthan insisted on payment of 5 percent and was paid Rs 1 lac, detailed the spokesperson.

Quoting disclosures of RK Tenedy and seven other AI ranked officials of the ZEO, he conveyed that the deduction/payment was done on instruction of Gita and L Nandakumar.

On the latter duo�s insistence ZEOs concerned of other districts were asked to make similar deductions and listed the involved offices as ZEO Thoubal (Rs 65,000), Bishnupur (Rs 50,000), Kangpokpi (Rs 39,000), Jiri (Rs 20,000), Wangoi (Rs 20,000) and AI Moirang (Rs 1 lac).

As the spokesperson�s narration Gita along with Tenedy handed over Rs 2 lakh to Francis Ngajokpa, L Nandakumar getting Rs 1 lakh, a hill-based UG outfit Rs 30,000 with the remaining amount kept in the personal custody of Gita and Tenedy.

The ONK cadres also paraded Tenedy and Y Inaocha before the mediapersons.

Observing that SPF Govt�s inaction emboldened unscrupulous element in the Education Department to lay their hands on funds meant for education of students belonging to economically unsound families, the spokespersons further asserted that inspite of security cover extended to guilty officials the outfit would not spare such elements.

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