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Malegaon:
This is the latest news from Malegaon. No, not about terrorist
attacks and bomb blasts. Not even of communal riots. The headline
which is hitting the local newspapers since last few days is this.
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has caught red-handed Shaikh Nisar
Ah, the Vice-Chairman of the local school board, while he was
taking bribe from the board clerk, Kiran Shingare. A case is filed
against him but he is now out on bail.
The incident occurred even as the horrific sound of ambulances carrying to hospitals small
students who complained of nausea and symptoms of food poisoning
are still in memory. These students were rushed for medical aid
after consuming the poor quality food served under the Mid-Day
meal scheme. Ever since this incident people were waiting to
know what action against the erring school and concerned
department has been taken. The news they were waiting for never
came, and amid the indications that the entire matter is
'managed', the news came that the Vice Chairman of the local
school board, has been booked in a corruption case.
The Malegaon School Board has always
been in news though seldom for a good reason. Last time when it
hit the headlines was when it claimed to have spent millions
on the infrastructure and computerization of corporation schools
using the funds received from the Central Government under Serva
Shiksa Abhyan (SSA). But when a check was done, it was found that
the
huge fund did not help those for whom it was actually meant. In whose
account this huge amount has gone, is still a mystery. The mystery which could not
be resolved even after 'complete' and 'thorough' checking of the
School Board accounts by outside officers.
The corruption in Malegaon School
Board does not limit to just misusing of the SSA funds. It is deep rooted. How
much? The insiders say, for every small or big thing here money and
money is only the criteria. In case of fair-sexes employed under
the board it is worse. Sometimes they require to do "even more" to
please the 'gang of the school board' and get things done.
Luckily for this gang, the role of
the Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC) is not only favorable
but it is actually in total contrast to what is expected. It is
supposed to be a watch-dog and legally bound to be playing a role so
that the things are in order or at least not out of control. But
when it comes to corruption, the MMC is said to be crossing all
the limits. And how? One recent incident would suffice to explain
this. Few months back Rasheed Yeolewala, a sitting corporator
belonging to the ruling alliance, was
caught stealing the newly installed tyres in the government
owned Ambassador car. Yeolewala is not an ordinary corporator. He
is a senior corporator and had occupied the Deputy Mayor's post
and also worked as vice president of the civic body in the past.
Hence it required lots of pressure by the opposition parties and
efforts by the civil society before the complaint in the police
station was lodged against him. But, far from being punished, he
was elected Standing Committee Chairman just few months after
being caught red-handed. As Standing Committee Chairman now, he is
said to be spending more time in corporation accounts office
and experimenting 'newer ways of earning'.
Tragically for Malegaon, the series
of communal riots and the terrorist attacks in 2006 and 2008
provided a convenient shelter for this inept and corrupt lot. While the entire town suffered immeasurably
in the aftermath, they used these incidents to hide their criminal
misdeeds. In blatant show of shamelessness, they construct plush
houses and factories, drive in expensive vehicles and own acres
of land without slightest realization that they are doing so on the dead
bodies of the fellow citizens.
It is unlikely that these things are
hidden from the Centre and State governments. Yet, they are mute
spectators to all this. Why? Its simply because Malegaon is a hotbed of 'Jihadi
Terror' for them. It is the place where terrorists take shelter,
intelligence officers write in their reports. Muslims don't know the art of
co-existence. Wherever are they, they are violent and are fighting
with others, in former prime minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee's words. Sadly, the history and records too are
not in favour of Malegaon. What else a government would need to
justify its negligence towards Malegaon and ignore the sufferings
of people?
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