DIMAPUR, Feb 19 � Nagaland Government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Police to unearth and identify the circumstances leading to the irregularities in the State School Education department in the utilisation of fund amounting to Rs 12.79 crore.
Vigilance Commission Nagaland, in a release today, said Chief Secretary and Vigilance Commissioner have set up the SIT to enable the government to book the culprits and also to take appropriate action against the erring officials/individuals.
The release said it has been established that the officials of the department along with some private individuals were involved in the misappropriation and manipulation of records.
The SIT will visit all the 11 districts of the State to physically verify the materials procured and dispersed and physically ascertain the actual existence of the disabled children as per the figure shown against each school. It will also examine files, documents and records of administrative approval, sanction orders, etc., for drawal of funds and the records of disbursement and identify person(s) involved in implementation of the said programme and the misappropriation of funds thereof.
The SIT will have the power to requisition and seize any files/documents required for the investigation and to interrogate any person(s) as accused as well as witnesses, arrest any officials/individuals found involved in implementation of the scheme. It has also been empowered to seek the assistance of other officers of the Commission to co-opt as and when exercises are carried out.
The SIT has been asked to complete their investigation within four months and submit the progress/interim report to the Vigilance Commissioner and also to the court from time to time through IGP, Vigilance & Anti-Corruption, Nagaland, the release said.
The implementation of the Inclusive Education for the Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS), meant for disabled children under the Education department pertaining to the period 2011-12, 1012-13, involving an amount of Rs 12.79 crore has been found to be misappropriated by the officials of the department, the release added.
