The Tribal Development Department has initiated an investigation into a suspected scam involving maintenance grants amounting to crores of rupees. These funds were allocated to four military schools located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Latur, and Beed districts. The inquiry aims to address concerns regarding the proper use of these financial resources.
The alleged irregularities took place between 2015-16 and 2022-23. Sandeep Golait, the Amravati tribal department additional commissioner, ordered the inquiry on Sept 25 following a complaint by high court advocate and Adivasi rights activist Prashant Bodkhe. Bodkhe claimed the alleged scam could be worth at least around Rs 2 crore. “Prima facie, this appears to be a scam of around Rs 2 crore. The department has sought records from 2015-16 to 2026-27. Bodkhe had threatened to launch an indefinite agitation outside the additional commissioner’s office in Amravati from Sept 28 if an inquiry was not ordered and action initiated.
He said efforts were underway to obtain details of grants released to other schools so that legal action could be pursued if similar irregularities were detected. The grants were allegedly released for Classes XI and XII that did not have the required recognition. Officials have also been directed to produce recognition orders for school divisions, student-allocation orders and year-wise inspection reports based on which the grants were released. Bodkhe’s complaint has sought criminal action against officials found responsible and recovery of grants allegedly released irregularly. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.
If a detailed and fair inquiry is conducted, the amount could go up drastically,” Bodkhe told TOI. “A similar audit and inquiry into other military schools across Maharashtra could bring an identical pattern to light,” Bodkhe said. He alleged that grants were sanctioned for Classes XI and XII even though the four schools had recognition only up to Class X. Two of the schools are in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district and one each in Latur and Beed. Golait has directed the project officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, to conduct the inquiry. The officer has been asked to submit an objective, year-wise report and give a clear opinion on the allegations. These include the number of students admitted to each school, students covered under the scheme, grants approved per student and the amounts actually paid. It has named then project officers, assistant project officers (education), clerks handling the scheme, assistant accounts officers and others as allegedly responsible. He has now sought scrutiny of grants to other military schools in Maharashtra too. The ITDP office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar covers Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed and Latur districts. The four military schools come under its jurisdiction. Download the TOI App.