(a) whether Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) has been accused of tinkering with a scholarship;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Ministry of Culture has conducted any inquiry in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE &
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a)&(b): A case of misappropriation of funds in Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture had come to light, while releasing scholarship amounts, through ECS/NEFT/RTGS, to certain scholarship holders under the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship (CTSS) Scheme, for children aged between 10-14 years.
Cases of non-payment in about 325 cases involving approximately Rs. 51 lakhs have come to light, so far.
(c)&(d): As per the directions of the Ministry of Culture, CCRT reported the matter to the Delhi Police Authorities, including their Cyber Crime Cell (Economic Offenses Wing), in September 2017, for thorough investigation in the matter.
CCRT has taken necessary steps to get the bank accounts of all the unlawful beneficiaries frozen.
(e): CCRT has already initiated various departmental measures and checks and balances at different stages, in consultation with the Bank Authorities, so as to avoid recurrence of such lapses in future and also to ensure timely release of payments to scholarship holders.
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