A major scam has been uncovered in the Raje Yashwantrao Holkar English Medium Residential Education Scheme, which is ongoing for poor students from the Dhangar community. In this case, the recognition of two schools in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district has been immediately revoked. Orders have also been issued to take disciplinary action against the then-government officials.
Action has been taken against Swami Vivekananda Global School and Junior College, Asegaon, and Galaxy International School in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Among these, Swami Vivekananda School had received a grant along with hostel approval for 100 students. However, during the actual inspection, not a single student was present in the school. The hostel did not exist, and the computer room was in a closed state. The entire operation was found to be only on paper. A similar situation was found in Galaxy International School.
The exposed part of this case is not limited to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar alone, but there is suspicion of misuse of the scheme across the state. Information has emerged that some institution heads have taken grants in the name of fake students.
Taking serious note of this matter, State Minister Atul Save has decided to cancel the recognition of both schools. Additionally, instructions have been given to take disciplinary action against the assistant directors of the relevant period. A detailed explanation has been requested from the regional deputy directors regarding this.
This scheme is not limited to just grabbing grants, but it is being criticized for infringing on the educational rights of poor students from the Dhangar community. Despite the objective of providing free residential education to students under the scheme, funds were being looted by showing schools only on paper. Currently, a thorough investigation of this case is underway, and there is suspicion of similar misconduct in schools in other districts being investigated by the agencies.