CAG report affirms multi-crore scholarship scam in Haryana

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 16

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has confirmed a multi-crore scam in the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) scheme in Haryana while pointing out that Aadhaar card numbers were manipulated, bogus certificates were submitted and even general category students got scholarships meant for SC or OBC students.

The State Vigilance Bureau is also investigating the case and has registered multiple FIRs. The Tribune had broken the story on the scam in April 2019.

In its report, ‘Social, General and Economic Sectors for the year ended March 31, 2019’, tabled in the Assembly today, the CAG says that names and Aadhaar card numbers of the beneficiaries mentioned in the sanction files maintained in the department did not match with the bank response files in respect of 1,690 cases involving Rs 13.80 crore. The audit looked into the cases from 2014-19.

In the case of 756 cases, incorrect Aadhaar card numbers were mentioned against the names of the beneficiaries. Also, the names of the beneficiaries did not match with those who got the payments from the banks. Here, a suspected fraudulent payment of Rs 5.11 crore was made.