Cracking the whip on corrupt officials, the government has suspended the District Adi Dravidar Welfare (ADW) Officer, N Ramachandran, who is in the rank of a Deputy Collector, for his alleged involvement in the scholarship fund scam.
The suspension order was issued by the Revenue Secretary on Friday.
“I received the message on Saturday and the suspension order will be served on the officer immediately”, Collector J Kumaragurubharan said.
Ramachandran, who was the District ADW Officer since March 2011, went on leave on the day (August 6) when the Collector sent a report to the Revenue Secretary suggesting suitable action be initiated against the ADW Officer and Superintendent of the Department based on the findings of a probe conducted by the Inspection Cell Officer (ICO), Salem.
The ICO report pointed fingers at the two officials for their involvement in siphoning of scholarship funds, running to several lakhs, meant for the children of those engaged in scavenging and tanning work.
The Superintendent of Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Namakkal, Umapathy was suspended on August 10 by the Commissioner for Adi Dravidar Welfare, Chennai.
Officials at the ADW Department here sanctioned Rs 68.46 lakh during the academic years 2010-11 and 2011-12 and colluded with some touts and school head masters to siphon off several lakhs from the funds.
It may be recalled that the Elementary Education Department had already suspended 75 headmasters, a graduate teacher and a secondary grade teacher for their alleged involvement in the scam.
Two retired teachers also face action in this regard.
The scam that rocked the district came to light following an inquiry conducted by the District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) based on the directive of the District Collector.
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