A multi-crore HRA scam that continues to persist unchecked despite repeated complaints to the highest authorities in the education department for well over half a decade is now witnessing a stone deaf response to a pertinent RTI query. The complaints and RTI query are directed against irregularities in the Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board (HSNB).

The higher authority named by the complainant is Dr. Sonali Rode, Joint Director, Higher Education, Mumbai Region. Our Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) was informed that Dr. Rode had admitted that she had received a response to the query from the HSNC Board. She however, refused to disclose the response, stating that the HSNC management has given a categorical diktat to the effect.

The complainant being unable to get any response from the official quarters finally filed a RTI query on 24th December 2021. To this day, the RTI query has not been addressed and still worse, attempts to contact Dr. Rode over SMS too have failed.

The inordinate and endless delay in responding to the RTI query is being cited as a cause for suspicion that the higher authorities in the education department are hand in glove with the HSNC Board.

It was brought to the light of our SIT that complaints had been repeatedly made against the alleged HRA scam to the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Education Minister of State, Director, Higher Education, besides Dr. Rode.

Putting it in perspective, our SIT would like to recapitulate its previous investigative reports against the Hyderabad National Collegiate Board. The Board has around 24 institutions under its umbrella ranging from schools to degree and professional colleges. The institution is of late in the public eye for major frauds and violations.

The names of the beneficiaries of the reported HRA scam include Dinesh Panjwani (former Principal of CHM College); and Manju Nichani (former Principal of KC College besides a host of others. As of now, the RTI query’s response is yet pending and there seems to be no means to redress this public grievance.

Dinesh Panjwani, former principal of the CHM college, Ulhasnagar and R. D. National College, Bandra West, has allegedly duped the state government for crores of rupees, by availing House Rent Allowance (HRA) despite residing in a free accommodation provided by the college management.

Multi-crore HRA scam’s RTI query unheeded

Beneficiaries being shielded by higher ups

Repeated SMS and voice calls fall on deaf ears

Ministry-level nexus cannot be ruled out

Repeated complaints about HRA scam fall on deaf ears.

Higher authorities maintain silence despite RTI queries

HSNC Board and administration are hand in glove

Ministry level complaints fail to yield any response