Committee alleges SSA anomalies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 14 2013: Citing political interference for the 2012 fiscal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds provided by the Minister of Human Resource Development (MHRD) remaining un-utilised till date, All Manipur School Management & Development Committee Association, Dewlahland expressed serious concern that SSA project in the State might be shelved in case financial mismanagement continues.

Informing that the Association's general meeting held today deliberated on varied issues with specific reference to financial unaccountability regarding Rs 283.4177 crores fund for SSA civil works in Manipur, an Association statement issued jointly by its president Horngam Keishing and Worthington Mahung contended that the Education Minister and top officials implementing SSA programmes are contriving to divert the SSA funds.

All basic set-ups under SSA, including staffing patterns, identification and earmarking of funds are duly approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) only under MHRD, based on intensive and systematic analysis by its State departments, explained the joint statement while conveying that attempts by the Minister concerned and State SSA officials to divert the Ministry fund is in violation of prescribed norms.

Moreover, SSA framework of implementation and manual on financial management and procurement permit no diversion, reappropriation, deviation and centralization of SSA funds, contrary to which notifications issued by both the State SSA authority and Minister concerned implied on depositing all centrallysponsored schemes including RMSA and SSA funds to the engineering wing of Education Department, the statement highlighted which also construed that the fund diversion/deposit is a mechanism to illegally supplant the PAB approved engineering cell under SSA Manipur.

Informing that the Guwahati High Court had decreed against the Government of Manipur's order to deposit the central fund to the said engineering Cell taking into cognizance that the Cell is neither a Government undertaking not a registered body or an autonomous agency, the Committee said for defying the Court decree as well as for non compliance to another verdict for immediate release of SSA funds to the SMDC (Committee) the same Court had served contempt notices to State authorities.

Further contending that the Education Minister is nor aspiring to overtake the chairmanship of SSA and RMSA general council from the Chief Minister, inspite of prescribed norms clearly laying down that it is mandatory for the latter (CM) to hold the post (chairmanship), the joint statement suggesting that the CM intervene and rectify all anomalies cautioned that failure in taking prompt action might lead to cessation of all SSA projects in Manipur.

The Committee also called upon all NGOs to contribute their mite in ensuring longevity of SSA programmes in the State as withdrawal of the noble scheme would be detrimental to the interest of the student community.

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