12 FIRs FILED In Rs 85 lakh Anganwadi scam
| Date :04-Jun-2024 |
Staff Reporter
NAGPUR (Rural) Police on Monday booked 10 Women & Child Development Officers of Panchayat Samitis by registering separate cases of cheating and criminal conspiracy against them at Katol, Saoner, Umrer, Parseoni, Narkhed, Kalmeshwar, Ramtek, Bhiwapur, Mouda and Kuhi Police Stations against them in connection with a scam involving more than Rs 85 lakh in Anganwadi Upgradation Scheme of Zilla Parishad. In the city, Sadar Police and Hingna registered two similar cases against two Child Development Project officers. Similarly, police have also booked the suppliers in the scam cases for allegedly providing sub-standard material.
The accused have been identified as Women & Child Development officers Tai Sayam (Katol), Maya Digambar Dhawral (Saoner) Sunita Dhakne (Umrer) Vanita Kale (Parseoni), Nanda Sunil Gajbe (Narkhed), Chitra Ghade (Kalmeshwar), R J Chauhan (Ramtek), Kalpana Gajbhiye (Bhiwapur), Pushpa Nakhate (Mouda), Laxmi Gajbhi (Kuhi), and Child Development Project officers Ujwala Dhoke (Ambazari) and Arpana Rajendra Tiwari (Hingna).
Other accused include owners of Shree Book Depot & General Stores, Yavatmal, Rushali Emporium, Nagpur, Shambhavi Educational Aids and T A Technology. The accused Women and Child Development Officers, in connivance with the suppliers submitted fake bills and flouted norms in procuring the material causing a loss of about Rs 88.57 lakh to the state exchequer. Some anganwadis received materials several times without proper procedure.
On the basis of the complaints received, Nagpur City and Rural Police registered cases under Sections 409,420 and 120(b) of the Indian Penal Code against the accused persons. For the Anganwadi upgradation scheme, a fund of Rs 1.06 crore was allotted. The fund was to be utilised to upgrade anganwadis with material and infrastructure. The Women and Child Development Department had insisted that priority be given to repairs, construction, solar projects, doors, windows, water supply, toilets, and other material. Nagpur ZP had constituted a three-member committee to investigate the fraud in procurement of material under the Anganwadi upgradation scheme. The committee had submitted its findings to the standing committee recently. The committee report revealed gross financial irregularities in procurement of material. Subsequently, the ZP authorities initiated penal action against the accused.