Stipend of college students 'embezzled' by college authorities in Kandhamal

The authorities of KC Degree College in Kandhamal’s Daringbadi have allegedly embezzled stipend of college students after alluring them for taking admission in the college.

As per reports, the college authorities allured over 30 students to take admissions in first year of Plus 3 charging a hefty amount as admission fee in 2020. However, the college called off the classes after a few days citing different reasons, and closed the college.

The students alleged that even though they had appeared for the annual exams twice in online mode, they were forced to continue in the first year.  

Moreover, the students also alleged that the college authorities forged their signatures and embezzled the scholarship money worth over lakhs in the past two years.

“They lured us by promising scholarship, free hostel, and free education and enrolled us in the college. The scholarship issued for the students has been embezzled by the college authorities,” alleged a student.

Speaking on the scholarship money embezzlement allegations, a college staff, Leo Pradhan said, “I had sent around Rs 1.5 lakh to the college principal Anil Kumar Chaudhary. I was appointed as a lecturer and I did as per the instructions.”

Meanwhile, the students met the Deputy Collector of Baliguda and demanded probe into the matter.

“We had no information regarding this. This is a private college and hasn’t been recognised. Under such circumstances, the question arises whether they have sanctioned the scholarship or not. The students also alleged that they have not got class promotions even though they continued classes for three years,” said Deputy Collector of Baliguda, Dukhabandhu Nayak.

“We will launch an immediate probe into the matter and take actions as per law,” added Nayak.

(Edited by Pradeep Singh)