Ministry Warns Police About NSDC Officials: “May Flee With Government Funds”

Four months after the ouster of acting CEO Ved Mani Tewari, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) continues to face significant operational turmoil. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, which supervises NSDC, filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against officials it had appointed to manage the Corporation after Tewari’s departure. The complaint, lodged with the South West Police on August 1, alleges misappropriation of NSDC funds, illegal appointments, and extensions made without proper authority or Board approval. The Ministry expressed concern that these officials “might run away with Government money or NSDC property.”

The complaint specifically names Ravi Shanker Verma, NSDC’s former Company Secretary, and Rajesh Swaika, Chief Financial Officer, who were part of a committee appointed to exercise managerial and financial powers following Tewari’s exit. On August 2, one day after the complaint was filed, Verma was issued a termination letter following a Board resolution. Significantly, the letter was signed by Swaika, who remains in the organisation despite being named in the Ministry’s complaint. The Ministry requested the police to immediately take preventive measures to avoid any unauthorized actions or mishaps.

NSDC, India’s premier skill development organisation, operates as a not-for-profit company under a public-partnership model, with the Government holding 49% stake. The Indian Express reports that a similar administrative purge occurred immediately after Tewari’s exit on May 15, when Verma revoked all prior authorizations issued before that date.

When contacted, Tewari and Swaika declined to comment, while Verma expressed confidence in NSDC’s future, calling it “a great organisation” that would continue to contribute to the Prime Minister’s vision of Vikshit Bharat by 2047. Reports indicate that the Delhi Police has yet to file an FIR in response to the Ministry’s complaint from last month.

In addition to internal administrative issues, multiple FIRs have been lodged across different states against NSDC’s training partners. Former and current NSDC officials stated that these FIRs were recommended after field inspections conducted earlier this year during Tewari’s tenure. Around 40 training partners, including at least one in New Delhi, were blacklisted for allegedly manipulating attendance records under the Pradhan Mantri Kushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). The inspections revealed that students who were absent from training centers were falsely included in the attendance records. Some of these blacklisted firms have since challenged the action in court.

The series of events highlights persistent governance challenges at NSDC even after the exit of its acting CEO. The Ministry’s direct involvement, including lodging police complaints against top officials, reflects its concern over alleged financial irregularities and unauthorized actions within the Corporation. The ongoing investigation and preventive measures indicate that the Ministry is actively monitoring the situation to safeguard government funds and ensure the proper functioning of NSDC.

NSDC, as a key institution in India’s skill development ecosystem, plays a critical role in implementing government initiatives like PMKVY and empowering youth with vocational skills. The controversies surrounding its officials and training partners threaten its credibility and operational effectiveness. The combination of administrative purges, police complaints, FIRs against partners, and legal challenges underscores the complexity of managing a public-partnership organization where governance, accountability, and compliance remain critical.

Overall, while NSDC continues to face internal and external challenges, officials like Verma remain optimistic about the Corporation’s future. The Ministry’s proactive approach, alongside legal and police interventions, reflects an ongoing effort to restore accountability, strengthen oversight, and ensure that NSDC continues to fulfill its mandate as India’s leading skill development institution.