Minority Scholarship scam: A sweeping crackdown has unveiled a shocking revelation in the education sector, as a massive minority scholarship scam has been unearthed and subsequently prompted a CBI probe. The depth of corruption within this scheme is staggering, as an internal inquiry recently disclosed that a staggering 830 institutions have been implicated in this scandal. Over the past five years, these institutions have shamelessly embezzled a staggering amount – Rs 144.83 crore.
But the extent of this scandal doesn’t end there. In a disheartening twist, it has been discovered that the very essence of the scholarship program has been undermined. The Ministry responsible for overseeing this initiative has divulged that an astonishing 53 percent of those who have purportedly benefited from minority scholarships are, in fact, fictitious beneficiaries. The noble aim of aiding underprivileged minority students in their pursuit of education has been hijacked by a web of deceit and manipulation.
In this article, we delve deeper into the details of minority scholarship scam, examining its implications, the mechanisms used to perpetrate it, and the broader questions it raises about the integrity of public welfare initiatives.
In response to the alarming development, Union Minister Smriti Irani took swift action by ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, indicating the seriousness of the situation. The gravity of the issue was underscored when the Minority Affairs Ministry lodged an official complaint on July 10, according to a report by India Today.
Italian ecosystem is sharing the minority scholarship scam as it's done by Modi govt but the truth is, most was done during UPA/Congress govt, Madarsas were involved & @smritiirani ji has recommended a CBI enquiry into it.
Share this info, don't let them mislead! pic.twitter.com/gqLkxCLsru
— Mr Sinha (Modi's family) (@MrSinha_) August 19, 2023
Also read: The truth behind the “Dwarka Expressway Scam”!
Taking matters into its own hands, the Ministry embarked on an extensive internal investigation. This involved scrutinizing institutions across 100 districts spanning 34 states. Out of the 1572 institutions subjected to investigation, a staggering 830 were allegedly implicated in fraudulent activities. These figures are based on the data received from 21 of the 34 states and Union Territories. The investigations into institutions from the remaining regions are still ongoing.
To prevent any tampering with potential evidence, the authorities took decisive action by freezing all accounts linked to the 830 institutions currently under suspicion. This step highlights the urgency of preserving any crucial information that might shed light on the extent of the corruption.
The scholarship program administered by the Minority Ministry has far-reaching coverage, encompassing around 1,80,000 institutions. Introduced in the academic year 2007-08, the initiative has aimed to provide scholarships from primary education through higher studies. However, the internal investigation conducted by the Ministry exposed a deeply concerning pattern. These fake beneficiaries had been consistently availing scholarships meant for deserving minority students year after year.
Examining the situation on a state-by-state basis paints an even grimmer picture. Several states recorded disturbingly high proportions of fraudulent institutions. In Chhattisgarh, almost all of the registered institutions were found to be fake or non-existent. Similarly, Rajasthan reported 77.34%, Assam 68%, Karnataka 64%, Uttar Pradesh 44%, and West Bengal 39% in the same category.
The gravity of the issue further emerges from instances like the one reported by India Today, where a single bank branch in Malappuram, Kerala, disbursed a startling 66,000 scholarships. This number surpassed the registered count of eligible minority students, signaling an alarming breakdown in oversight and control.
As this investigation unfolds, it lays bare not only a colossal financial discrepancy but also a concerning lapse in the integrity of the welfare program. The need for a thorough overhaul and stringent measures to prevent such exploitation becomes increasingly evident.
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