‘Fake’ Colleges Bleeding State Exchequer Dry: ACYPA

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: A startling fact has come to light when the Anti Corruption Youth Power, Assam (ACYPA) has alleged that as many as 42 colleges in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts have been illegally getting government funds even after the Dibrugarh University College Development Council declared them (the colleges) fake. The ACYPA has set a 36-hour deadline for the department to act against the fake colleges, failing which, it (ACYPA) will resort to file an FIR against each of the 42 principals of these fake colleges.

Addressing a press conference at Dispur Press Club on Wednesday, ACYPA president Dharmakanta Gogoi said: “As many as 42 colleges in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts were declared fake by Dibrugarh University College Development Council Director Rupak Saikia way back in 2016. However, instead of being wound up the colleges are still being run in papers so as to draw government funds. The colleges have got funds amounting to crores of rupees from the head of Tribal Development Council as well. From information obtained through an RTI application, it has come to light that a few of the 42 colleges received funds meant for post-matric scholarship in fiscal 2018-19 showing ghost (non-existing) students.”

Giving details of post-matric scholarship received by a few of the fake colleges against ghost students, Gogoi said: “Madhya Subansiri College in Lakhimpur received Rs 24.94 lakh in 2015-16 against 288 students, Rs 11.39 lakh in 2016-17 against 168 such students, Rs 84,000 in 2017-18 against ten students and Rs 80.55 lakh against 973 students in 2018-19. Likewise, Abanory Girls’ College, Lakimpur (now Bogiti Patir College) received Rs 23-20 lakh against 234 students in 2017-18, Bhimpara Degree College and Lakhimpur received Rs 14.33 lakh against 131 students in 2017-18. Now we want action against the fake colleges from the State Education department within 36 hours, failing which, we will be compelled to lodge an FIR against each of the principals of the fake colleges.”

Gogoi further said they would also take action against the Dibrugarh University College Development Council Director for not taking any follow-up actions after declaring the colleges as fake.

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