Embezzlement of Mid-Day Meals Funds: ACB registers FIR against Ex-Incharge, others

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday registered a case against Abdul Rashid Dar, the then Incharge Mid-Day Meal (MDM), Zone Mawar, Langate for misappropriation and embezzlement of MDM funds.
“A preliminary enquiry was conducted by J&K ACB to look into the allegation that accused public servant namely Abdul Rashid Dar, the then Mid-day-Meal incharge at ZEO office Mawar, son of Abdul Gani, resident of Shanoo, Langate District Kupwara in league with officers/officials of the Zone illegally and fraudulently credited Lakhs of rupees meant for MDM to his own account in J&K Bank Qalamabad and misappropriated same etc,” ACB official said.
Official added that the probe conducted has revealed that National Programme of Nutritional Support to Education (popularly known as Mid Day Meal Scheme) was launched across country and in the J&K State in September 2004 with an objective to give a boost to Universalization of Primary Education by increasing enrollment, retention and attendance.
“The programme has been universalized in J&K & at gross root level, the scheme is being implemented under the supervision of PRIs, School Management Committees & Village Education Committees. The food grains are lifted from the FCI by the Directors of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department on behalf of the Education Department. Necessary expenses on account of implementation of the Mid-day Meal Scheme were being met out of the funds in the ratio of 90:10 as Central Share and State Share,” official said.
“The probe conducted also reveal that during the year 2017, to 2019, an amount of Rs 73,66,335 was allotted by the Govt through Chief Education Officer Kupwara vide different orders to then ZEO’s of Education Zone Mawar Langate under Mid-Day Meal scheme,” official said adding that on receipt of funds the then MDM incharge Zone Mawar Abdul Rashid Dar dishonestly and fraudulently managed to transfer an excess amount of Rs 7,07,495 into official accounts of 14 schools covered under MDM Scheme in Education Zone Mawar District Kupwara.
“The accused managed the release of excess payment in favour of schools by resorting to escalation of amount in different advices and later on received the amount back from MDM incharges of schools in cash on pretext of depositing it back into the official account but instead misappropriated and embezzled same,” ACB official said.
Accordingly on the culmination of preliminary enquiry, official said, a case FIR No 14-2024 U/S 5(1) (c), 5(1) (d) r/w section 5(2) of JK PC Act Svt. 2006 was registered at P/S ACB Baramulla against the accused public servant Abdul Rashid Dar and investigations were set into motion.
Immediately after registration of case search warrants were obtained from the Court and in pursuance to which searches are being conducted simultaneously at three different locations in Handwara in presence of executive magistrates and independent witnesses, official said adding that further investigations are going on.