Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 23
The Opposition Congress has come out with disclosures on what it described as the DAN government’s misuse of funds for their own benefits. The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) gave examples of “random corruption” under the present DAN government pointing out that the UPA Government had released crores of rupees to Nagaland state but DAN Government misused the funds for their own benefits. The NPCC was responding to the State BJP after the latter had alleged in the local media that the NPCC was stalling the normal flow of funds meant for various developmental projects in the State in connivance with the Congress-led UPA government.
“NPCC still wonders that Nagaland State BJP does not know how their DAN Government is functioning in the State. That shows their ignorance about the functioning of the state government. Or is it a case of NPF befooling their partner?” the NPCC responded in a press note issued by its Vice President Nillo Rengma. Adding that the State BJP should know from where the funds are coming and running the DAN Government in the State for the last six years now, the NPCC stated that the BJP’s ignorance or foolishness was understandable.
“If the flow of funds for various developmental projects including normal allocations stop coming from New Delhi for three months, in that case, there would be no government in the State as Nagaland State depends on 90% of its resources from New Delhi. Nagaland State cannot stand on its own in matters of finance. Therefore, whatever developmental projects or welfare schemes are being implemented in the State; it is funds from New Delhi and not from DAN Government resources. Therefore, the question of stalling the flow of funds to Nagaland by the UPA Government does not arise at all,” the NPCC stated.
The Nagaland Congress alleged that under the Prime Minister Package for road development programme, the Central govt. accorded Rs.69.00 crores for road development of Tuensang and Mon districts, and it was placed under DUDA Department for implementation. “However, the fund was totally misused due to collection of heavy commission from the contractors by the DAN Government.” It was also alleged that the said package was handled by DUDA with a single E.E in violation of all rules and codes of Work & Housing Department and DAN amassed the funds. “BJP is supposed to know how Rs.69.00 crores had been spent with no roads.”
On the PGMSY Scheme, the NPCC clarified that this scheme was being implemented in the State and GoI was generously giving funds in order to connect roads in all habitations by 2009. The NPCC alleged that when phase V & VI were implemented in the State during 2007-08, certain percentage was collected from the contractors on the pretext of party fund, and work order was issued only after contractors deposited the ‘party fund’ at the high up levels of DAN govt. Thereby, many contractors either left the work half-done or could not do the work as per specifications, it was pointed out. It was informed that recently, under this scheme, phase VII tender had been called. “Who knows, this time also the contractors may face the same problem about the ‘commission’ if the usual DAN practice is still followed. Nagaland contractors are the best judge whether such percentage are being collected or not,” the NPCC stated.
The NPCC also made mention of “random corruption” under the DAN Government and cited several instances to prove its point. On the construction of 10th IRB headquarters at Saijang, the NPCC alleged that the Department awarded the construction of the works at 86% above the schedule rate of 2005. “Such high above the schedule rate was given to get high percentage of commission. That was the sole motive,” the Congress maintained.
With regard to the fruit processing unit, the NPCC alleged that this was given to the former Minister (Industries) and present Rajya Sabha MP’s son on lease for 30 years without floating tender which is blatant corruption. It went on to state that the unit has about 44 bighas of land with all pucca infrastructure which cost more than Rs.4.00 crores and it has been leased out at Rs.25,00/- per month. “After 30 years of lease period, neither the land nor infrastructure may become visible”, the NPCC stated.
On the Lakhimro Hydel Project the NPCC stated that this had been privatized to one firm, and “the one who is holding high office has a share in it.” It went on to allege that the proprietor of the project is provided with police vehicle whenever he is in Nagaland. “As a citizen of India, one is entitled to get body guards for protection of his life but providing police escort is never known. It is misuse of Government machineries.”
With regard to the construction of the DGP’s residence of 4 storeys, the NPCC stated that this was “a contract oriented building solely for collection of higher percentage of commission” and that similar was the case of spending 30.20 crores for a single Medical Department Directorate office.
The NPCC also shed light that from the 13th to 31st December 2007, Rs.198.00 crores was withdrawn by the DAN Government when it was reduced to a minority and “thereafter, contractors were paid in cash, not by cheque.” For example: an amount of Rs.4.6 crores was released for construction of temporary sheds for CPMF by CAWD and the contractors were paid in cash instead of cheque which is in violation of procedures. This procedure was adopted by the DAN Government to get more percentage collection of commissions,” the NPCC stated.
It was further alleged that under the DAN Government, contract and supply works were given to only those who can pay ‘commissions’ and that those getting works without paying the commission meant that they were relatives of persons running the govt. “For example Carriage work was given to M/S Jimti Ao in 59 places for transportation of essential commodities in Nagaland by the supply Department. And whereas, he has given power of attorney to non-locals in 28 places. This clearly shows that genuine and able local contractors and suppliers are being deprived the privileges in unscrupulous manner.”
Regarding 4-laning of road between Dimapur and Kohima, the NPCC informed that the GoI has decided to provide fund under special accelerated Road Development programme (SARDP) and placed it under phase ‘B’. “As and when phase ‘A’ of SARDP formalities are completed, phase ‘B’ will take place. BJP, as a ruling party should know about your Government’s works programme”, the NPCC stated.
On the issue of 25000 unemployment youths to be employed, the NPCC pointed out that the state Government was not even in a position to detail the sectors where there is to be employment. Therefore, GoI should not be blamed when state Government fails to give the detail programme for placement, the NPCC defended, while also adding that the State BJP should not shed crocodile tears for Christians in Orissa and other states when their own BJP brigade, the VHP, was stopping re-construction of churches in Orissa. On the price hike, the NPCC stated that this was a worldwide phenomenon; therefore, UPA Government cannot be blamed. Rather, it went on to allege that the DAN Government is responsible for escalation of prices in the state for failing to check anti-social elements “who extort business community and thereby create artificial escalation of prices.”
