GUWAHATI, Nov 11 - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will take over the multi-crore-rupee scam in the implementation of the Pre Matric Scholarship Scheme for minorities in Assam from the Criminal Investigating Department (CID) of Assam Police.
Assam Minorities Development Board chairman Syed Muminul Aowal today said the Central government has directed the CBI to initiate a probe into the scam that took place in other parts of the country too.
�When the scam came to our knowledge, we immediately communicated with Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and finally the Central government has directed the CBI to initiate a probe,� Aowal said at a press conference here.
Along with Assam, the CBI will probe the scam that had taken place in Punjab, Bihar and Jharkhand as well.
Under the Pre Matric Scholarship Scheme of the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, a beneficiary, having 50 per cent marks in previous examination and maximum Rs 1 lakh annual family income, can avail maximum Rs 10,700 per year as scholarship money.
In connection with the scam, the CID has already arrested 21 persons from different locations of Goalpara, Darrang, Kamrup and Dhubri districts. Senior officials said CID is continuing search operation in multiple locations of the State to nab other persons involved in the scam. Moreover, questioning of 15 arrested persons is under way at the CID headquarters here.
