Sujit Mahamulkar | TNN | Updated: Dec 15, 2016, 08.47 AM IST
NAGPUR: Maharashtra government announced on Wednesday that it would conduct an inquiry through the special investigation team (SIT) in the case of allegedly bogus students shown in aided private tribal ashram schools in the state.
There are 556 private aided ashram schools where 2.52 lakh students are studying. The government spends Rs900 a month per student, or Rs325 crore annually, to provide education and hostel facility to the students, and to fund maintenance and payment of teachers.
On Wednesday, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar through a calling attention motion in the legislative assembly alleged that an aided ashram school in Jalgaon has shown fake 8,000 students, while 40% of the total 2.5 lakh students are not in existence. "The government has lose revenue of over Rs68 crore due to bogus students shown by aided ashram schools. It has been mentioned in a collector's report. However the government hadn't taken action against these private ashram schools," said Bhatkhalkar.
He also pointed out that an Umari Ashram School in Washim district, the school shows 177 students whereas not more than 25 students are studying in the same school.
Congress MLA Naseem Khan also seconded Bhatkhalkar and demanded SIT inquiry in the issue which was accepted by the tribal development minister Vishnu Savara. "The government should appoint SIT to inquire the issue and Aadhaar card linkage of all students should be done as soon as possible, on basis of which the grant should be released," said Khan.
Savara, however, has denied that bogus students were registered by aided ashram schools claimed that there is no single bogus student in schools. "Government officials visited aided schools while it was a long leave period during August 13 to 18, 2016. The fact is students were on leave and had gone to their homes."
He further said that the government has decided to release grant depending on the student's Aadhaar card. Registration of Aadhaar card has been made compulsory in all ashram schools. "As on today, out of 2.52 lakh students, 2.06 lakh students has already been registered while remaining will be enrolled within the next six months," the minister added.