District Development Officer (DDO) Anju Sharma told Express Newsline that the suspension follows a preliminary inquiry into alleged irregularities and negligence. A C Patel, of the Panchayat's accounts department, has been given the charge of the education department.

Sharma said the panchayat has been authorised to seize the revelant documents of the Yojna in the district. The 26 orders in contention have been cancelled. A function in which Education Minister Anandiben Patel was to give away the orders to a majority of the beneficiaries on Wednesday has also been cancelled.

Earlier, when applications were being received, the computers of the education department went missing for a day with a section of the ruling BJP members in the Panchayat suspecting foul play.

Sharma said complaints from various quarters were directed to the State Government.