HAILAKANDI, June 23 - The All Assam Students� Union (AASU) has demanded action against officials involved in the embezzlement of about Rs 20 crore of pre-matric scholarship meant for minority students in Hailakandi district.
A delegation of AASU�s Hailakandi unit met the state�s Chief Secretary and handed over a memorandum seeking institution of a thorough inquiry into the alleged scam in the Education Department.
The MLA of Hailakandi, Anwar Hussain Laskar on Monday visited the office of the Inspector of Schools and demanded action against the officials involved in the scam. Laskar said that he will write to the Chief Minister and Education Minister for institution of a high-level inquiry into the scam.
On the other hand, a large number of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) activists and Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti members created a human chain in front of the education complex in Hailakandi town and demanded arrest of the officials connected with the minority scholarship scam.
They subsequently submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi demanding immediate action against the officials. Jahir Uddin Laskar, organisational secretary of KMSS alleged that the administration is safeguarding the kingpin of the scam, former Inspector of Schools, Rajiv Kumar Jha.
Laskar alleged that Jha was transferred to Guwahati as Deputy Director immediately after the scam came into the limelight.
Earlier, an FIR was lodged in Hailakandi Sadar Police Station by KMSS against Rajiv Kumar Jha and two other officials of the Education Department by Laskar.
The officer incharge of Hailakandi Sadar PS, Pranab Kumar Saikia is inquiring into the case.
It is also alleged that there is widespread corruption and fraud in the name of providing scholarship to the students of the district for the fiscal year 2018-19 and 2019-20.
