Kohima | September 15 : Opposition Congress today staged a walk-out during Zero Hour of today’s Tenth Session of the 11th Legislative Assembly in protest against its request for a discussion on the alleged fraudulent drawal of Rs.18 crore by the Police Department.
Before staging the walk-out, Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi explained to the House that the members in the Opposition Bench did not wish to participate in the rest of the day’s proceedings as its request for a discussion on the C & AG report wherein it was reported that the DGP Nagaland had drawn Rs.18 crore against fictitious bills citing purchase of arms and ammunitions, vehicles and equipments for raising six commando companies during the year 2009-10. He said he had requested Speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie for a discussion on the issue as a matter of urgent public interest.
Addressing a section of the media immediately after staging the walk-out, Congress members insisted that the case is very serious as bills from all the five firms listed were found to be fictitious and claimed that this is a clear proven case of looting public money by fraudulent means, causing colossal loss to the state exchequer.
Opposition Leader Tokheho asserted that whereas by public accounts rule, when the C & AG report was tabled in the Assembly, the matter was required to be referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the State Assembly for verification, this was not done so and it appeared that in principle, the report of the Verification Committee was accepted by the Government of Nagaland and the chapter was treated as closed.
Handing out documents to the media as evidence, he pointed out that gross anomalies were detected and that all the five firms mentioned had denied having done transaction with the Government of Nagaland.
Before staging the walk-out, Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi explained to the House that the members in the Opposition Bench did not wish to participate in the rest of the day’s proceedings as its request for a discussion on the C & AG report wherein it was reported that the DGP Nagaland had drawn Rs.18 crore against fictitious bills citing purchase of arms and ammunitions, vehicles and equipments for raising six commando companies during the year 2009-10. He said he had requested Speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie for a discussion on the issue as a matter of urgent public interest.
Addressing a section of the media immediately after staging the walk-out, Congress members insisted that the case is very serious as bills from all the five firms listed were found to be fictitious and claimed that this is a clear proven case of looting public money by fraudulent means, causing colossal loss to the state exchequer.
Opposition Leader Tokheho asserted that whereas by public accounts rule, when the C & AG report was tabled in the Assembly, the matter was required to be referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the State Assembly for verification, this was not done so and it appeared that in principle, the report of the Verification Committee was accepted by the Government of Nagaland and the chapter was treated as closed.
Handing out documents to the media as evidence, he pointed out that gross anomalies were detected and that all the five firms mentioned had denied having done transaction with the Government of Nagaland.
Alleged fraudulent drawal of Rs.18 crore by Police DeptIn the light of this, the Opposition Congress demanded sanction of CBI inquiry, removal of Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen from the Council of Ministers and sanction for prosecution of the offenders. The Opposition Leader also moved for a privilege motion against the state Chief Secretary.
On its future course of action, the Opposition Leader said the members of the Opposition will take up the issue on a different platform in the form of launching an agitation.
Meanwhile, giving a statement after the Opposition walk-out, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio termed it as unfortunate that the Opposition is making it a habit of staging walkouts with some excuses and that this has shown that the Opposition is not interested in solving issues. The Opposition should go through the process and not react in such a manner, he stated. Rio assured the House that the process of verification of the allegations would start by November 11.
Clarifying on the C&AG report, the Chief Minister said that the office of Comptroller & Auditor General office Delhi wrote a letter to the State Government titled “Fraudulent Drawals” on 27th December 2010, the report of which was laid in the House on 28th March earlier this year. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is not an investigating agency but to examine and take corrective measures, Rio explained and informed that it is the duty of the Department/Government in cases of controversial C & AG reports for which the Government reply was given on 22nd January, explaining the details of expenditure.
On its future course of action, the Opposition Leader said the members of the Opposition will take up the issue on a different platform in the form of launching an agitation.
Meanwhile, giving a statement after the Opposition walk-out, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio termed it as unfortunate that the Opposition is making it a habit of staging walkouts with some excuses and that this has shown that the Opposition is not interested in solving issues. The Opposition should go through the process and not react in such a manner, he stated. Rio assured the House that the process of verification of the allegations would start by November 11.
Clarifying on the C&AG report, the Chief Minister said that the office of Comptroller & Auditor General office Delhi wrote a letter to the State Government titled “Fraudulent Drawals” on 27th December 2010, the report of which was laid in the House on 28th March earlier this year. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is not an investigating agency but to examine and take corrective measures, Rio explained and informed that it is the duty of the Department/Government in cases of controversial C & AG reports for which the Government reply was given on 22nd January, explaining the details of expenditure.
