Dimapur, December 13 (MExN): The Village Council Chairmen (VCC) and GB Union of Chozuba Sub division on Sunday issued a statement rebutting the claims of corruption in the2 Lane SARDP-NE Chakhabama-Zunheboto Road project as alleged by the 2 Lane Sedzu-Dzulha Aggrieved Property Owners Association (2 Lane SDPOA).
Earlier on December 3, a press release from the media cell of the 2 Lane SDPOA cited the events concerning the project and the subsequent land compensation issue. Citing RTI replies, the association had earlier said that it has unveiled “corruption to the tune Rs. 22.18 Crores approximately.”
On December 13, VCC Union and GB Union of the subdivision stated that unlike ‘self styled groups’, they are ‘mandated authorities’ who are also signatories of the MoU vis-à-vis 2 lane road project.
As ‘legal custodians’ of their respective jurisdiction, the Unions stated that it is their duty to disseminate ‘factual ground realities’ to the authority in particular and the public in general.
The Unions stated that compensation came because of the 2 lane road project and the first two projects came to the district because of time, labor and resource spent by some community leaders.
Later when Government of India (GoI) cancelled the project due to the misfeasance of Maytas-Gayatri (JV), it was again the community leaders who followed litigation in the High Court and Supreme Court that eventually restored the abandoned project, they stated.
“On the contrary the outcry and agenda of “organized complaint” is only to fish out a self determined compensation amount even at the cost of ongoing road project, “they alleged.
Further, the Unions stated that the SDPOA’s allegation that their appeal to CPO did not receive much attention “is a blatant lie.”
“Despite repeated opportunity given, the so-called aggrieved refused to table their grievances before VCC & GB and range public organizations,” they said.
They added that the CPO’s repeated calls to solve the dispute were ignored with the response that “they had no issue with the VCC, GB, range public organizations and CPO, and that they were simply seeking redressal from district administration.” According to the Unions, the matter went up to the level of Commissioner, Nagaland in 2019 and later to Phek DPDB in July 2020, and questioned why the SDPOA ‘shied away’ in both cases.
They also refuted the SDPOA’s allegation that eligible beneficiaries were given ‘partial compensation’ and were ‘blackmailed’ from receiving full compensation.
Affidavit of each willing person was countersigned by respective VCC or GB and there was no compulsion whatsoever from any corner on any individual to accept his/her compensation. Those who had genuine reason were advised to submit complaint letter instead. Payment started by May 2019 and by July more than 92% had willingly accepted their compensation. By December 2019 except few, almost all had willingly taken their compensation, the Unions clarified.
“Unfortunately most of the complainants are compensated members,” the Unions stated and claimed surprise that many complainants are from unaffected villages or range.
Further, the Unions said that the SDPOA’s claim that there is no more fund to compensate the genuine uncompensated properties, “is not only misleading but another blatant lie.”
They asserted that sufficient compensation amount was available for pending cases and added that no genuine member would be deprived or denied of his/her rightful share.
The Unions also added that verifications were held in September 2019 and 2020 under the full drive of aggrieved team without involving the concerned VCC and GB or independent observers. A third verification was again done in October 2020, they stated.
With regard to the SDPOA’s claim about the Lokayukta investigation on September 29, 2020, the Union stated that the aggrieved demand is not ‘complimentary’ to the cause of ongoing litigation in court. “Aggrieved should not downplay the fact that it was because of reaching an understanding with MGDVA that enabled respective VCC & GB to issue NOC, thereby also enabling release of compensation and resumption of road construction,” they added.
The VCC and GB Union further stated that with their authorization, the community leaders acted on their behalf. If any of the community leaders or supportive officials in the district is incriminated, the leaders of SDPOA and signatories of the complaint would be held entirely responsible for any possible consequence in future, they cautioned.
