Govt school peon terminated for fraudulent compassionate appointment

Khargone: Services of a govt school employee were terminated in Khargone district after it was found that he secured a compassionate appointment by allegedly concealing facts and submitting false information eight years ago.

District education officer ordered immediate termination of Pawan Dawde, who was posted as peon at a govt secondary school in Katkut, following the findings of an official investigation.

Pawan was appointed on compassionate grounds in Sept 2018 after the death of his father, Nilya Dawde, who served as an assistant teacher. He applied for the appointment claiming eligibility under the state’s compassionate appointment policy, according to departmental records.

The action was taken following a complaint and detailed inquiry into the case. The investigators found that Pawan concealed the fact that his elder brother, Sukhdev Dawde, was already in govt service when he sought appointment on compassionate grounds.

Under rules governing compassionate appointments, the benefit is not extended if another eligible member of the deceased employee’s family is already in govt employment. The inquiry concluded that this information was withheld from the department while seeking the appointment.

The probe, conducted by school principals assigned by the department, found the claim made in the application and supporting affidavit was incorrect. Based on the findings, the district education officer cancelled the compassionate appointment order issued on Sept 13-2018, with immediate effect.

Officials said in addition to the dismissal, proceedings are expected to be launched to recover the salary and benefits paid to the employee during his nearly eight years of service.