A massive scholarship scam worth ₹4.26 crore has been exposed in Ghazipur district. Authorities revealed that fake admissions were shown in unrecognized B.Ed and BTC courses from the academic year 2016-17 to 2023-24, leading to fraudulent disbursal of scholarships and fee reimbursements.
How the Fraud Worked
Investigations found that the institution’s manager and principal submitted false information to the Social Welfare Department and Backward Class Welfare Department. Based on these misleading records, the departments sanctioned and released funds meant for genuine students.
According to police, between 2019 and 2022 alone, around ₹2.80 crore was siphoned off in the name of students. Additionally, another ₹1.46 crore was flagged as suspicious payments, raising serious concerns about systemic loopholes.
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Case Registered, More Colleges Under Lens
The fraud came to light after Social Welfare Officer Ram Milan Yadav filed a complaint, following which a case has been registered against the accused officials. Authorities emphasized that this scam not only caused financial losses but also deprived deserving students of crucial educational support.
A senior officer stated, “This is not just a financial fraud; it is an assault on the future of students who genuinely needed this assistance.”
Expert Opinion and Future Action
Education experts point to lack of transparency and weak monitoring as key reasons behind recurring scholarship scams. An official from the Varanasi division remarked, “Unless independent audits of institutions and verification of student documents are conducted, such frauds will continue to emerge.”
The district administration has confirmed that more colleges are under investigation, and if their recognition is found to be dubious, strict action will be taken against both the management and officials involved.