SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed an FIR against Abdul Rashid Dar, former Mid-Day Meal In-charge of Zone Mawar, Kupwara, following allegations of misappropriation and embezzlement of funds allocated for the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme.
“A preliminary enquiry by J&K ACB looked into allegations that Abdul Rashid Dar, then the Mid-Day Meal in-charge at ZEO office Mawar, in league with officers of the Zone, illegally and fraudulently credited lakhs of rupees meant for the MDM scheme to his personal account in J&K Bank Qalamabad,” reads a statement issued by ACB to Kashmir Dot Com.
“The National Programme of Nutritional Support to Education, commonly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, was launched across the country and in J&K in September 2004 with the goal of universalizing primary education by increasing enrollment, retention, and attendance. In J&K, the scheme is implemented at the grassroots level under the supervision of PRIs, School Management Committees, and Village Education Committees. Food grains are lifted from the FCI by the Directors of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department on behalf of the Education Department, with funds allocated in a 90:10 ratio of Central and State Share.”
“During the years 2017 to 2019, an amount of Rs 73,66,335 was allotted by the government to the Chief Education Officer Kupwara for the ZEO’s of Education Zone Mawar Langate under the Mid-Day Meal scheme. However, the then MDM in-charge of Zone Mawar managed to transfer an excess of Rs 7,07,495 into the official accounts of 14 schools under the MDM Scheme.”
“The accused allegedly arranged the release of excess payments for schools by inflating amounts in official documents and then collected the funds back in cash under the pretense of depositing it into the official account, only to misappropriate the funds for personal use.”
“Following the culmination of the preliminary enquiry, an FIR No. 14-2024 U/S 5(1) (c), 5(1) (d) read with Section 5(2) of JK PC Act Svt. 2006 was registered at P/S ACB Baramulla against Abdul Rashid Dar, S/o Abdul Gani, R/o Shanoo Langate District Kupwara, the then in-charge of the Midday Meal Education Zone Mawar, Kupwara, and investigations have been set into motion. Search warrants were obtained from the court, and searches are now being conducted at three locations in Handwara with the presence of executive magistrates and independent witnesses. Further investigations are ongoing,” the statement added. (KDC)
