government takes over Pernem school

government takes over Pernem school
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 13
The Directorate of Education has taken over the functioning of Durga English High School in Parsem, Pernem, which had come under the scanner for allegedly misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 18 lakh taken for construction work.
DoE has invoked provisions of Section 20 of the Goa School Education Act, 1984, against the said school. Earlier, DoE had issued a show-cause notice asking the school to show records of the money, which was availed to construct a first floor for it under a scheme. 
Y P Dhore is the designated authorised officer who will now see to the functioning of the school and the North Education Zone has been instructed to file a criminal against those involved in allegedly siphoning off the funds.
Officials said one Ramnath Sawant was at the centre of the entire money-siphoning episode and another person Advocate Hanuman Gawandi had signed cheques as manager of the school managing committee.
They said there was enough documentary evidence against the persons involved in using the money for a purpose other than construction of the first floor of the school.
The officials further mentioned that even though the authorities said money had been given to contractors for the work, they failed to produce any receipts to establish their claims.
They said the school availed the money in two phases, Rs 15 lakh in the first lot and Rs 3 lakh in the second. It was found that the money was deposited in the Bicholim Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd in the name of the school under account number 1594.
They said money was deposited in the form of FDs of different amounts and as on April 19, 2006, just Rs 2,097 was balance.    
The officials said the school was running without a committee and a society. There were non-members functioning in the committee, they added. The District Registrar for North had stated that the Gomantak Education Society that runs the school managing committee was unregistered.