Surprisingly, State Education Department is becoming prominently visible on the graph of corrupt departments of the State. Education Department by definition should have been the model of honesty, morality and efficiency. People have always assigned some ennobling attributes to this department thinking that a more pious work than educating the budding youngsters of the society could not be imagined. But our hopes are dashed to ground when we come across incredible corrupt practices indulged in by those who are supposed to give right direction to things in the society.
According to a report appearing in the media, the Chief Education Officer of Budgam District has employed 137 persons under Contingent Paid Employees (CPE) scheme who were later regularized as Class IV employees in the Government. The District Statistics and Evaluation Officer Budgam, has conducted study and investigation into the papers pertaining to employment and regularization of CPE cases, and found that Chief Education Officer Budgam has issued fake and fraudulent orders on fake certificates including date of birth and regularized 139 CPEs in 2013 and 2014. As per the report they even employed 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12 years children and regularized them. In his report to the Deputy Commissioner Budgam, he states that out of 139 regularized CPEs, 104 have no date of birth records; one each was 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 years of age at the time of engagement; two were 13; 3 were 11; 4 were 15; 5 were 14; four were 16 and 12 were of 17 years of age at the time of engagement.
It is not known what action the Deputy Commissioner has taken in this case. It has to be noted that earlier this year, a list of over 100 Class 4th employees issued by the same CEO Budgam, Nazir Ahmad Dar, was quashed by the Government. The list was quashed as the rules of engagement were grossly violated while issuing the orders. In present case also glaring violation of rules is visible. We strongly recommend that the case be handed over to the Vigilance authorities for investigation and proper disposal. Corruption cannot be remedied unless strict punitive measures under rules are taken to stem the tide.
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