Afroz Alam Sahil, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi : Amidst lofty claims by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ending the corruption ‘culture’ in the country but the Department of Culture is scripting new stories of corruption.
Even the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is aware about their misdeeds but have turned a Nelson’s eye towards the development. Infact, there are allegations that an effort is being done to bury the corruption charges under the carpet by concerned minister and officials.
The saga of corruption is related to Centre for Cultural Resources and Training in New Delhi. Corruption allegations against the Director of CCRT for financial embezzlement for crores of rupees came to light but there has been no action from government.
Established in 1979, CCRT is situated in Dwarka, New Delhi, is an autonomous body but is under administrative control of Ministry of Culture.
Information procured through RTI indicate that Director, CCRT, G C Joshi is involved in serious administrative and financial anomalies. These charges are evident from the special audit report of the internal audit wing under Ministry of HRD.
As per the audit report, CCRT incurred a loss of Rs 1.56 crore during 2011-12 to 2015-16 for recommendation of using its auditorium. All these recommendations were done by its Director, G C Joshi. This loss has been calculated from the revenue earned during 2010-11 from the auditorium.
Not only this, the report also indicates towards anomalies for reinstatement of its staff without any prior information and advertisement.
The report also mentions that the going by deeds of the Director, CCRT, he should be immediately suspended or sent on leave till the probe is completed. The report also categorically states that all the directives of Director for reinstatement of staff, purchasing and sacking of employees should be considered null and void.
Despite such serious noting, Director, G C Joshi continues to enjoy his post. This is when several complaints regarding him have been sent to PMO.
Joshi, however on the other hand remains unfazed. Talking to twocircles.net, he admitted that the information mentioned against him has been made available through RTI and he is aware about the development. Regarding the allegations, he stated that the report is with MoHRD, so it is better to contact them.
Meanwhile several letters have been sent to PM Narendra Modi for taking action in this issue. PMO, on its part has forwarded these letters to Secretary, Culture Ministry, which is sitting idle on them.
Meanwhile several employees of CCRT who have brought this to the notice are being threatened by Director and few Deputy Directors to remain silent.
In the letters addressed to PM, it has been written that former secretary of Ministry of Culture N K Sinha is making all efforts to save Director G C Joshi. The letter alleges it is being done as Sinha is hand in glove with Joshi so as to safeguard his interest since the audit report has unearthed the scam and has recommended for recovery of the amount along with CBI probe.
The letter clearly mentions that silence over these complaints is an injustice towards the people of the country while the silence of concerned minister’s silence has raised suspicion over PM’s campaign of eradicating corruption from the country.
One of the complainant confided that several big wigs are trying to settle the issue and to ensure that it remains on back burner.
Meanwhile, questions remain unanswered regarding saving the skin of officials who are involved in financial embezzlement.