Arfat Khan
Jammu: Exhibiting sheer disrespect to directive of Anti Corruption Bureau, J&K, the Joint Director School Education department Mohd Lateef Choudhary allegedly extending favors to Aruna Sharma, Principal Government Higher Secondary School Hiranagar who is facing enquiry in a complaint of misappropriation of mid day meals funds worth Rs 6.74 lakh.
Sources revealed ” Instead of enquiring about relevant facts pertaining to the non submission of official records pertaining to the utilization of Rs 6.74 lakh midday meal funds at GHSS Forelain by the then Principal Aruna Sharma, Mohd Lateef pressuring the official for compromise apparently to hush up the matter”
Similar allegations were leveled against the enquiry officer Mohd Lateef by another official who appeared for recording his statement in ongoing enquiry against the then Principal GHSS Forelain Aruna Sharma.
ACB vide its letter No VO Edu-G-68/18-11770 dated 02-08-2018 has directed Joint Director (DVO) School Education Department for conducting probe into the allegations against Aruna for disappearance of bills and documents pertaining to use of mid day meal funds in 2014.
On Jan, 2018 Joint Director School Education Department, Jammu has called four officials namely Aruna Sharma, Om Praskash- Principal GHSS Chandma, Raj Mohd Wani-Sr Asstt, GHSS Budhie and Mahesh Kumar-Sr Asstt GHSS Forelain for recording their statements.
Owing to her political clout, the complaint which is pending with education department since 2014 fails to reach at any conclusion so far despite availability of all strong evidence to prove her guilt, said an insider preferring anonymity.
Except Aruna Sharma against whom the enquiry is going on all were present and recorded their statements. Instead of appearing before the enquiry Officer Aruna Sharma dashed a letter citing health reasons for her absence.
Surprisingly, Aruna submit her joining report at her new place of posting -GHSS Hiranagar on Jan 4, 2019 whereas citing health reasons she never joined his previous place of posting at Samba as HoD DIET after her unprecedented removal from post of acting CEO Kathua on June 5, 2018.
Sources also revealed that CEO Kathua also indicted Aruna Sharma in his enquiry report pertaining to non submission of account books, vouchers and bills related to use of mid day meal funds during her tenure as Principal at GHSS Forelain, Kathua. The said report has been submitted to Mohd Lateef.
Its worth to mention here that Nirmal Choudhary predecessor of incumbent CEO Kathua has to face severe harassment followed by immature transfer at the hands of district administration when the former dare to initiate enquiry against Aruna Sharma for alleged embezzlement of mid day funds in GHSS Forelain. “Known for close proximity with corridors of power, Aruna remained posted in the heart of Kathua district during her entire service career. There are people in political echelons to manage her postings, said a senior officer of school education department.
Contesting allegations of siding with Aruna, Lateef stated that Aruna appeared twice before him pertaining to enquiry. But miserably felt short of words when asked why her statement was not recorded when she really appeared vis viz what’s the relevance of dashing letter stating reasons for non appearance.
Reacting to a query as to why it took so long to conclude enquiry and submit report to ACB, he said “There are many other important tasks other than dealing with matter related to funds misappropriation”