Date:01/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/01/stories/2007120161351000.htm

Andhra Pradesh

SSA scam: PJR for speedy recovery of funds

Special Correspondent

Wants recovered amount to be spent on improving schools
Says House panel will call for financial details and spending of SSA funds

HYDERABAD: Congress MLA P. Janardhan Reddy has demanded that the Government expedite the process of recovery of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds misappropriated allegedly by Sarasa Devi and Subramanyam.

Reacting to the announcement made by the SSA and Adult Education Minister M. Hanumantha Rao here on Thursday, Mr. Janardhan Reddy said Government should take all the necessary steps to attach the properties of the accused. “Those who have diverted the funds should not go scot-free and must be punished at any cost,” he added.

“There should not be any delay in recovering the misappropriated funds,” he said and added that the House Committee inquiring the issue and of which he was member, would continue to pursue it to the logical end.

The Congress Legislator wanted the recovered amount to be utilised for improvement of schools. He expressed doubts that more funds could have been misused by the accused.

He said the House Committee would also call for the financial details and spending of the SSA funds when the panel meets again.