The old spirit of State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) scam has resurfaced to haunt Secondary Education Deputy Director CS Gwal as Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani has approved initiation of departmental action against Gwal.
The departmental audit committee had found gross financial irregularities in the tenders of dresses and other equipment in the SCERT during the period of 2005-2007 when Gwal was the director.
On the adverse audit report, an inquiry headed by the then Director General (DG) of school education RK Sudhanshu indicted Gwal of financial irregularities worth Rs 54.11 lakhs after investigation. The inquiry commission held a detailed investigation on the issue and listed 22 points in its report.
Incidentally the commission was not convinced by the explanation given by Gwal. The matter there after was put in back burner as he used his political influence to obstruct any action. Interestingly the wily officer managed to reach the highest position of education cadre in the State despite being indicted in the report of Sudhansu.
He is due to retire on November 30 and the old scam again came into fore when the additional chief secretary S Raju sought the opinion of the Education minister Naithani who in turn gave his approval for action against Gwal.Normally in these cases a charge sheet accompanied with suspension is handed over to the officer concerned. However Gwal is using all his political linkages to stonewall action against him.
Sources revealed that Gwal has very good relations with some top Congress leaders of the State who are determined to save him.Unconfirmed reports also suggest that the office of Chief Minister has intervened to save the skin of beleaguered Gwal.