Sewali Devi Sharma Questioned for Alleged Embezzlement of Funds

The officials from Vigilance are also questioning many educational officers with a connection to the case.
Sewali Devi Sharma Questioned for Alleged Embezzlement of Funds

GUWAHATI: IAS officer Sewali Devi Sharma, who was suspended recently, was questioned by the Special Vigilance Cell of the Chief Minister for her connections with a massive embezzlement case. Allegedly the officer along with a contractor Ajit Pal Singh had embezzled Rs 105 Cr without producing any work orders.

Sewali Devi Sharma had allegedly opened a fake institution along with the contractor, who also happens to be her son-in-law, and misappropriated Rs 13 Cr for the alleged constriction of a smart classroom which failed to meet even the basic requirements.

During her posting as the Executive Chairman and Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training between 2017 and 2020, she allegedly created five bank accounts without the necessary approvals from the state government.

The officials from Vigilance are also questioning many other educational officers with a connection to the case. These include NL Sonowal, Jaichandra Lashkar, Ramijuddin Ahmed and fourth-grade employee, Rubul Ali for their alleged involvement. The authorities have mentioned bringing in everyone accountable in this case and the suspension of the IAS official is being called an important step in this direction.

According to a notification published by the Personal (A) Department of the Assam Government, a report received from the Department of School Education vide letter No. 221279/227 dated 18-03-2023, mentioned that Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS- 2010), Secretary to the Government of Assam, Agriculture Department opened 5 (five) Bank Accounts without the approval of the Government of Assam during her tenure as the Executive Chairman cum Director, SCERT.

"It has also been reported that Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Government of Assam, Agriculture Department, the then Executive Chairman cum Director, SCERT was the sole signatory and FRBM rules were not followed in respect of the above mentioned 5 (five) numbers of bank accounts whereas it has also been reported that a report of Enquiry on the functioning of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) under SCERT found financial irregularities and very credible references of misappropriation of fund," the notification mentioned.

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