log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY MAY 23, 2025 @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 335 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us Page 9 India’s electric vehicle drive gathers pace with policy push and industry action REVIEW: Kia Clavis - A feature-loaded MPV that might just flip the segment ON PAGE 3 State moves to recruit 859 teachers after Centre’s rap; walk-in interviews from May 26 to 30 Shirgao mishap: Vice President Dhankar pushes for tighter safety protocols Farmers bear brunt as heavy rain destroys paddy fields; Loss pegged at Rs 10 lakh Levinson Martins set to take over as Goa State Pollution Board chairman Colour code, registration made mandatory for sewage tankers Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in `5 cr fraud rocks Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan  ALERT BANK STAFFER FOILS FULL-BLOWN HEIST  BUSINESSMAN FROM WEST BENGAL ARRESTED  BRAIN BEHIND OPERATION STILL AT LARGE VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI A sophisticated financial fraud has shaken India’s flagship education programme, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, after nearly Rs 5 crore in Goa government funds meant to support primary education were illicitly siphoned from official accounts. The scheme -- which came to light only after a vigilant bank manager/staff flagged unusual transactions -- has raised serious questions about financial oversight and possible complicity or negligence of government officials. While one person -- a garment businessman from West Bengal -- has been arrested by the police, the kingpin behind the operation is still at large. Sources confirmed that the fraud came to light only after the intervention of an alert bank manager/staff at a pri- THE GREAT SCHOOL ROBBERY „„Fraud comes to light only after intervention of an alert employee at a private bank in West Bengal „„Large deposits, cheque clearances noticed in name of SSA Goa being routed through a personal account „„By the time SSA officials vate bank headquartered in West Bengal, pointing to suspicious transactions linked to the SSA account. “The bank staff noticed large deposits and cheque clearances in the name of SSA Goa being routed through a personal account. By the time SSA officials were informed, around Rs 5 crore had already been siphoned off,” a department source revealed to The Goan. informed, around Rs 5 cr had been siphoned „„Arrested man says his account was used without his knowledge „„Questions raised about financial oversight, possible complicity or negligence of govt officials The arrested man reportedly told police that his account was used without his full knowledge and stated that he had been facing financial ruin since the COVID-19 pandemic. “One person promised to offer him a loan for his business but insisted on access to his account. Once details were handed over, cheques amounting to nearly Rs 2 crore were deposited with SSA's name allegedly on the cheques. This aroused suspicion at the bank,” the source said, quoting the interrogation. "His confession to the police is also under scrutiny." The police are now on the lookout for the alleged mastermind who not only accessed SSA’s nationalized bank account but reportedly changed the registered mobile number, to divert all transaction alerts to himself. SSA under lens, Crime Branch likely to take over the case THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and police themselves have not ruled out internal lapses or alleged connivance from within the SSA. “It is hard to believe that such a large sum could be misappropriated without someone on the inside either turning a blind eye or being involved,” the official said. “The fact that the fraudster could obtain account details and manipulate them suggests a serious There is a possibility the fraudster posed as a govt representative to gain access… But deliberate inaction or connivance by SSA insiders cannot be ruled out  — Official breach. Nevertheless, all angles including impersonation of central SSA officials and gross negligence by local authorities are being probed”. “There is a possibility the fraudster posed as a govern- ment representative to gain access. But deliberate inaction or connivance by SSA insiders cannot be ruled out,” the official added. With all the concerned joining the probe, it is learnt that the case might soon be transferred to the Crime Branch, given its complexity and the quantum involved. The Goan tried to connect with the SSA but they remained unavailable for comment, however, the department confirmed that a complaint has been filed by the SSA Project Director with the Porvorim police.