Alumni Donation matter: RTI reveals school Alumni bluffed SSS Cheog about donation
Shimla, April 8
The Himachal Pradesh Department of Higher Education launched a new scheme during the previous BJP government to showcase meritorious alumni who passed out from each Senior Secondary school by displaying their name plates in the school premises. The scheme, named “Akhand Shiksha Joti Mere School Sai Nikle Moti,” was launched in 2018 and gained popularity in 2019, with an amendment made to take a minimum donation of Rs 5000 from such alumni. However, it has recently come to light that some alumni, including teachers themselves, have bluffed the department by offering liberal donations to their schools and showcasing their popularity not only by virtue of their merit but by their donations as well.
This matter is about a sign board or so-called Gurav Patt ( Pride Plate) being displayed in Govt Senior Secondary school Cheog where an Alumni denoted Rs ten Lakh to his former school who currently hold the post of Principal in Other Senior Secondary school. Sandeep Kumar Sharma was depicted as Principal himself at GSSS Jathai and donors of Rs 10 lakh in the board.
But, a RTI issued by the School said that as per School record no entry of Rs 10,00000-00 ( Rs Ten Lakh only ) donated by Sandeep Kumar Sharma is found in the School welfare Fund. Cash book entries regarding the expenditure of Ten Lakh is available in the school record but no bills and vouchers are available in the school record.
In a press release issued on Friday by RTI activist Rakesh Kumar stated that no information about Rs ten lakh donation to Government Senior Secondary School, Chiyog by Sandeep Sharma on September 5, 2019 has been found in any account of the school.
Kumar claims that he got this information under RTI. The information revealed that no bills and vouchers have been received regarding spending of this donation. Therefore There is no information about receiving of 10 lakhs on the basis of records. The RTI activist demanded vigilance investigation in the matter, so that the truth comes in front of the people.
Notably, Sharma was recently transferred and posted at his former school that is GSSS Cheog now, and he wants third name plate to be placed in the school premise. This time, not only as Alumni or donar but as Principal of the very School from where he studied himself. On the day he was about to join his order a mellodrama also happened in the school as suddenly his posting was cancelled against incumbent lady Principal of the school who is still on her post. Whereafter, SK Sharma tried to lodge protest along with localite to restore him in his childhood school. The Principal cum philonthropic Alumni threatened to parade in the school till restoring his order along with few parents of children.
As per Information with us, some people who claimed them to be the parents of students had warned the lady Principal to seek posting away from this school failing to which they would not allow their kids to come in school. The issue got bold headline in the media for few days but State government did not buzz.
Now, the State agencies are expected to take next call. Moreover information was shared by a staff to us that an audit team is analysing previous school records to reveal the truth.
The big question that needs answer from the school authorities and Department how, two name plates could be placed in the school on Garav Patt and School Inaguration Plate if Principal cum philonthropic Alumni did not pay Rs ten lakh to School or Department.
Interestingly Sharma was also given commendation prize by the Governor as outstanding teacher.
Sharma’ Side
Defending the alleged Principal, his former student hailing from Cheog in a telephonic coversation, alleged that the information supplied through the RTI is biased, as it has come through the same lady principal who is in conflict with Sharma. Dr Sohan Chandel, a professor based in Chandigarh told us that Sharma is a respected teacher, and this issue is politically motivated. He said that flaring up of the matter, is also spoiling the reputation if their area.
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