J365 NEWS, Bhadradri kothagudem: SFI demands an immediate investigation into the misuse of student diet charges in BC Welfare Hostels in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Additionally, an inquiry is needed regarding the misappropriation of funds allocated by the government for officially conducted events commemorating social reformers and revolutionaries’ anniversaries, organized by the BC Welfare Department.
Over the past three years, funds allocated for the anniversaries and birth anniversaries of social reformers like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Sarvai Papanna, Valmiki, Konda Laxman Bapuji, Chakali Ailamma, and Doddi Komuraiah have been misused. Instead of utilizing govern ment allocated funds for these events, expenses for their organization are being covered through the students’ diet bills in welfare hostels. These funds, meant specifically for student nutrition, are being diverted, leading to their misuse.During AG audit inspections, an amount of ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 was collected from each welfare hostel under the pretext of providing necessary records to the audit team. These funds also came from students’ diet charges. This financial irregularity appears to be an attempt by the district BC Welfare Officer to conceal accounting discrepancies in the hostels.
Even during recent sports events, funds from students’ diet bills were utilized. The responsible officer must answer why diet charges intend ed for student nutrition were used for sports events. Senior officials like the BC Commissioner, Additional Director, and Joint Director have turned a blind eye to these irregularities due to their alleged complicity in taking bribes from district officials, jeopardizing student welfare. Despite these issues, the Additional Director has never conducted inspections of district welfare hostels. In hostels such as those in Aswarao pet, Mulakalapalli, and Dammmapet, diet charges worth lakhs of rupees were drawn even in the absence of students. With diet charges being misused in this manner, how can quality food be provided to students? This question must be addressed by the officials at the Commissionerate.
Student union leaders questioning these irregularities are being barred from visiting hostels. Recently, when SFI leaders attempted to inspect a welfare hostel, they were denied entry, indicating a deliberate attempt to suppress accountability.We demand a comprehensive inquiry into these irregularities and call for strict action against those responsible.