Chizokho Vero
Kohima | March 20
Opposition Congress today slammed the DAN government for ‘financial mismanagement.”
Participating in the budget discussion on the budget for the year 2012-2013 on the floor of the House, opposition leader Tokheho Yepthomi alleged that the DAN government misused finance in the last four years. If we look at the financial management of the state where has the government laid a foundation for better future, he questioned.
The Government of India has been pumping money into different departments; he said but expressed dismay that all those Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) have not been used judiciously. There is a need for more transparency and accountability in financial matters, Yephomi said adding that budget should not focus only for five/six years but it should have a clear blue print for the future.
He termed the budget presented on the floor of the House by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on March 15 “as only on presumption,” adding that it is as good as work programme only. He also argued that this budget was presented only to meet the expenditure of the coming state elections.
He also stated that the government has borrowed more than the borrowing limit, adding that loan component is increasing year after year. Also talking about a huge outstanding loan, he said “If we go at this rate the state will land in debt trap.”
The leader of Opposition said the creation of new administrative centres and upgradations were all done without the cabinet memo. He argued that the government still continues to create administrative centres in the state despite registering a huge increase in salary payment.
“If financial position is stable there is no problem,” he said. He however expressed the worry that the financial management was going worse. He said the government machinery will collapse when the state lands in a financial crisis. Further, he argued that the state government has a hidden agenda in financial management.
He said when the state government asked for money for ROP the Government of India generously granted the money but regretted that the money due to government employee have not been paid.
He strongly advocated that payment has to be made to government servant when they retired.
“There is no transparency in the financial management,” he added.
Yepthomi said other departments are improving in the revenue collection but power department is not doing well, which, he felt care should be taken for improvement.
He pointed out that DAN government has created a class in the classless society of Nagaland, saying it has created 2 class in the state, poor and the rich adding that even within treasury bench there is a class and that no one can deny it.
Congress MLA K.L. Chishi, former chief minister termed the budget for the year 2012-03 as “hypothetical and imaginary budget” for the reason that the state government was yet to receive the plan allocation from the Planning Commission of India.
He said the budget presentation speech from Para 1-65 were all fallacious, no realism and unrealistic and it is a dream.”
Chishi said that there are many Centrally Sponsored Schemes that do not come to the state exchequer but it goes directly to the concerned departments. He said this money is not accounted in the state’s exchequer. He said UPA government has initiated 16 flagship programmes and state government received lots of money but it goes directly to the concerned department.
He said that law and order situation has improved to certain extent, although some problems still exist. On the other hand, he expressed concern over the incidents of like rape, extorting, kidnapping, murders in the state.
He also voiced his concern for tackling HIV/AIDS and for reducing the prevalence rate. He said the whole world is making policy to reduce it to Zero but HIV/AIDS is increasing for the case of the Nagaland despite there is LFA, NSACS and department to tackle the epidemic.
He said Government of India is giving so much money but don’t not know how are they tackling.
Stating that the state has increase in unnecessary superfluous expenditure, he suggested for austerity measure and to curtail some of the unavoidable expenditure.
He also questioned the stand of the government “No Work No Pay” on government servants. He lamented that many Grade IV staffs do not attend office. We have luxury constructions but surround with stinking toilets and dustbin filled with nasty things. This is the state of affair, he said.
He also stated that for the first time in the history of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the present government has been able to issue show cause notice to “Ghost Teacher.” This is a record breaking,” he pointed out.
Referring to the Annual Administrative Report of various departments being tabled at the ongoing budget session, Chishi said the report contains full of photographs and there were no materials to read.
We are not convinced with photos, he said adding “we want to read the achievements.”
Stating that DUDA is created by DAN government, he however said that under DUDA there is no department and because of that DUDA is not functioning well and not delivering the required developmental works in the backward areas.
It has to be streamlined if we want to make it effective, he said adding that it must be headed by a Commissioner & Secretary.
He also argued that the slogan “Peace for Development and Development for Peace” has not been smooth and said, “If there is peace give us development.” He also stated on the other hand the government go around shouting phrases and slogans while on the other side it is depriving the people of what they deserve. Making clear the High Command of Congress, Chishi questioned whether Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is the High Command of NPF party or Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu who heads NPF as president. MLAs Vikho-o Yhoshu, L. Temjen Jamir, Sentichuba and Lanpha DUDA also participated in the discussion. The Deputy Speaker Ralanthang adjourned the House till March 22.
