Nine arrested in coaching scam under Delhi govt welfare scheme

New Delhi: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi govt arrested nine people, including owners and directors of coaching institutes, in connection with a scam linked to the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana.According to the Department of Welfare of SCs, STs, a case was registered alleging that several empanelled coaching institutes committed irregularities to fraudulently obtain funds from the govt exchequer under the scheme during 2018-19.The scheme, launched in 2017, initially empanelled eight institutes to provide coaching to SC students for competitive examinations, enrolling about 5,000 students. Coaching fees and stipends were to be paid directly to institutes.

In 2019-20, the scheme was expanded to include ST, OBC and EWS categories, with 38 more institutes added.In total, around 22,000 students were enrolled, and institutes received about Rs 37.2 crore. Investigators found duplicate student entries, failure to maintain separate bank accounts and instances where stipends were not disbursed. Some students were sent to local tuition centres, violating guidelines. Despite notices, the accused failed to offer satisfactory explanations.