Maharashtra Minister Dada Bhuse on Tuesday announced that a special investigation team (SIT) will probe the irregularities in recruitment done by the Education Department. Bhuse informed the State Legislative Assembly that the probe team will comprise senior IAS and IPS officers with a legal background, along with experts. The team will be given time of four to five months for the investigation. MLA from Nagpur Pravin Datke had moved the Call Attention Motion regarding the scam. Since the scope of this scam is likely to be across Maharashtra, MLA Datke demanded an investigation into this matter through an SIT in all departments of the State, including Nagpur. The State Government banned teacher recruitment in 2012, after which the teacher eligibility test was also started. Between 2019 and 2022, a large number of teachers were recruited, but many appointments have been shown before 2012. It is also being revealed that same person was appointed twice in many instances. Similarly, the Government and citizens have been cheated by showing bogus signatures in the name of a deceased officer.

 

This has led to a large amount of corruption. Datke also raised a question in the House whether the Government will recover the salaries paid to these bogus teachers. The officers and employees of the Education Department have made bogus appointments of teachers by using the forged signatures of the late retired Education Officer Someshwar Naitam. Datke asked that whether the Education Commissioner had been instructed to register a criminal case in this case. Datke also questioned whether action had been taken against 211 teachers, two principals, 18 junior clerks who were given false approvals by giving documents in such a bogus manner and using forged signatures. The chairman of the committee appointed by the Government was changed 3 times. Initially, Ulhas Narad looked after it, then Dr Savarkar and then Chintaman Wanjari. But since all three were named accused in the scam, will the investigation be conducted in a transparent manner, questioned Datke. Datke pointed out, “In the Shalarth ID scam, 2,700 teachers were recruited in the State by submitting fake proposals for teacher approval, an FIR was filed on March 12 regarding the bogus type.

 

What action has the government taken till date? How many accused have been identified? Has the Government set a specific time limit for completing the ongoing investigation through the SIT? The Government should present its position before the House in all these cases and to prevent such a scam from happening again.” Datke demanded that the investigation be completed through IAS rank officers from other departments besides the Education Department and action be taken against the culprits, as the current officers are in charge. The incident that happened this time is condemnable and the Education Department is at the center of the scam. Education Minister Dada Bhuse assured that 19 officers have been named as accused so far and action will be taken against the culprits. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Ajay Chaudhari and others raised the issue through a calling attention notice. Chaudhari pointed out that criminal cases were registered against office-bearers of 12 educational institutions, and a probe had been ordered against them and officials of the education department. He further said that ineligible teachers were being paid salaries in several districts since 2012.