Congress leaders launched a strong attack on the government on Monday. They demanded a thorough investigation into what they called a "betrayal of youth." The party claimed the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed a massive scam in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
CAG Report Reveals Shocking Figures
Congress leader and former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan presented the findings. He said the CAG report covering PMKVY from 2015 to 2022 shows alarming irregularities. The government distributed approximately Rs 10,000 crore over seven years under the scheme.
Widespread Fabrication of Data
Gopinathan revealed startling statistics from the audit. He stated that 94.5% of beneficiary bank accounts turned out to be fake. Furthermore, 96% of beneficiaries had fake mobile numbers linked to their records. An astonishing 97% had fraudulent assessor details attached to their certifications.
"The scale of manipulation is breathtaking," Gopinathan emphasized. "This represents a systematic failure in oversight and implementation."
Identical Contact Details Raise Red Flags
One particularly bizarre finding caught everyone's attention. Gopinathan pointed out that the CAG discovered one crore persons who completed training under PMKVY shared the same email address and mobile phone number. This obvious anomaly suggests massive data fabrication rather than individual errors.
Multiple Schemes Under Scrutiny
The CAG examined PMKVY 2.0 and PMKVY 3.0 in detail. The audit covered all major components including short-term training, recognition of prior learning, and special projects. What emerged was a pattern of weak monitoring mechanisms and financial mismanagement.
"Basic eligibility norms were routinely violated," Gopinathan asserted. "The report paints a picture of an initiative gone terribly wrong despite massive funding."
Educational Qualifications Fabricated
The audit looked closely at educational credentials of candidates. An analysis of nearly 60.7 lakh candidates in roles requiring education above Class 9 revealed troubling gaps. Education data for approximately 6.8 lakh candidates was completely missing from records.
Even more concerning, nearly 8.1 lakh candidates did not meet the minimum educational criteria for their roles. Among over 1.2 lakh candidates certified for positions requiring prior technical education, a shocking 85.4% possessed only basic literacy or general education backgrounds.
Incomplete Trainer Information
The problems extended beyond beneficiaries. Gopinathan highlighted that information about 61 lakh trainers under the scheme remained incomplete. This lack of proper documentation for those supposedly providing training further undermined the scheme's credibility.
Congress leaders argue these findings justify their demand for a comprehensive probe. They want accountability for what they describe as thousands of crores in public funds being mismanaged. The party insists the government must answer for the alleged failures in a flagship program meant to empower India's youth with employable skills.
