Daijiworld Media Network - Dehradun
Dehradun, Jun 15: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 13.83 crore in connection with the alleged SC/ST Post-Matric Scholarship scam in Uttarakhand, officials said on Monday.
The action was taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent diversion of scholarship funds meant for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students between the academic years 2011-12 and 2016-17.
According to an official statement, the Dehradun Sub-Zonal Office of the ED launched its investigation based on an FIR registered by the Uttarakhand Police.
The probe uncovered large-scale irregularities in the disbursal of scholarship funds, with investigators finding that nearly half of the claims processed during the period were fraudulent.
Officials said that out of 6,208 scholarship claims examined, 2,895 were found to be fake.
The ED alleged that several private educational institutions, along with their managements and associated trusts or societies, illegally obtained scholarship money by projecting ineligible, fictitious or unverifiable students as beneficiaries.
Institutions named in the FIR include Motherhood Institute of Management and Technology in Roorkee, Roorkee Institute of Management Sciences (RIMS) in Haridwar and Mahaveer Institute of Technology in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
Investigators found that the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) in Haridwar had processed all 6,208 claims, resulting in the release of approximately Rs 27.98 crore in scholarship funds during the period under scrutiny.
Of the total amount disbursed, Rs 19.74 crore was directly transferred to the bank accounts of educational institutions, while around Rs 8.24 crore was deposited into bank accounts maintained in the names of students.
The ED said its investigation uncovered a systematic pattern of fraud.
Scholarship applications were allegedly submitted in the names of students who were either never genuinely enrolled, did not attend classes, failed to meet academic requirements or were otherwise ineligible for benefits under the scheme.
Verification conducted through universities and educational authorities revealed serious discrepancies in admission, enrolment and examination records.
Investigators found that several listed beneficiaries had either failed examinations, remained absent, could not be traced in university records or continued receiving scholarships despite not satisfying eligibility norms.
Officials said the fraudulent activities resulted in substantial losses to the public exchequer while generating illegal financial gains for those involved.
The ED said further investigations are underway to identify additional beneficiaries and trace the flow of funds associated with the alleged scam.