PF scam in city school

The management of All Saints High School has been involved in swindling more than Rs 34 lakh

PF scam in city school

The management of All Saints High School has been involved in swindling more than Rs 34 lakh

Fourteen teachers of All Saints High school received a rude shock when they discovered that the amount that is being deducted from their salary since 1996 have not been paid to the Provident Fund Office (PFO) by the school management.

The matter came to light when the teachers filed an application under Maharashtra State Information Act 2005, asking details of the amount deducted from their salary towards the provident fund.
u00a0
To their utter disbelief, the PFO revealed that the school management has allegedly been involved in a scam to the tune of more than Rs 34 lakh.

A teacher on condition of anonymity, said, "We are living under constant fear. The new management can axe our jobs." She added that the teachers never received any salary slips and were constantly deniedu00a0 salary certificates.

Principle con

While addressing the case,theu00a0 PF Inspector, who audited the school records for the past 12 years, lodged an FIR against S N Gaikwad, principal of the school. Gaikwad then filed a bail plea, which was rejected by the Pune Sessions Court. He then surrendered at Mumbai HC and paid Rs 34,55,560. However, the court asked him to pay the interest of Rs 22 lakh as well.

PSI Vilas Khandagle, said, "Gaikwad has moved the court seeking more time to pay the interest amount." Khandagle added that he would collect the court order from Gaikwad and the chairman of the school soon.

Meanwhile, Nitin Sonawane, an RTI activist who is helping these teachers to get their rightful provident fund, said, "As the management failed to deposit the amount, PF office issued the notice to the management to auction the school property," The notice was issued last month, informed Sonawane.

Out of 14 teachers, five are retired and two of them have received their share of PF. However, they are still waiting for the institutional share towards their provident fund.