Discrepancies in Tuensang NREGS detected

Morung Express News
Dimapur| December 10 

The Confederation of Chang Students’ Union and Eluetheros Christian Society, with the public comprising of thirty Chang villages held a public hearing on the “non-delivery” of works under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes (NREGS) for 2007-08 in the Chang areas of Tuensang district. Interestingly, according to sources, just days before the public hearing phone calls started pouring in from “some top officials and legislators” not to conduct the hearing.

The public hearing which took place on December 9 exposed substantial discrepancies in work-distribution and fund-utilization. It is reported that the Rural Development department has so far provided work only for 36 days against the proposed 100 days as provided under the scheme while the full amount for the 36 days of work was also not given. Only two blocks, Noksen and Sangsangyo were given full payment against the work done. Five villages under Noklak claimed that out of the 36 days of work done, they were paid only for 24 days, added to which 7% was deducted by the Block Development Officer (BDO). There were also reports of some village councils who tried to use bulldozers instead of manual labor, and stopped by the Chang Students’ Union on being informed by sources. The department officials at the hearing told villagers that work for the remaining 64 days would not be given although villagers expressed desire to work. Sources at the public hearing told The Morung Express that department officials claimed delay in setting the due ‘audit statement and policy changes due to which the remaining days of work could not be provided’. 

Under RTI (Right to Information Act) filed earlier this year by the public of Tuensang, huge lapses and misuse of NREGA funds surfaced. As per the details divulged, 745.52 lakhs was given as central assistance for the scheme for 2007-2008. According to the commissioner’s report given through the RTI, 54.50 was utilized as feed money and 14.69 lakhs for ‘miscellaneous’ while 755.79 lakhs was utilized for payment for 36 days of work done in the entire district. However, sources said the utilization certificate from the centre and that of the district report does not at all tally. Out of the total 986.81 lakhs, only 89.62 lakhs have been utilized as per the RTI.  The role of village councils was also in question as department officials pointed out lapses in village council for the “‘non-delivery’ of NREGA”.

The public complained that no prior information is given to them when work is handed out. Also, the information is disseminated only till the village council level, they pointed out.   The matter was deliberated and presented to Dr. Chingmak, Advisor and Commissioner to the Supreme Court, in the presence of representatives of the department. 

The department’s officials assured releasing by January the payment for 12 days of work not paid to the five villages under Noklak block, and to inquire into the 7% deduction by the BDO. The Advisor also assured the house that all matter will be raised with the commissioners of the Supreme Court but in consultation with the state government of Nagaland. It is hoped that the state government will take serious note of the matter and appropriate response made for the “non release” of the 64 days while all districts in Nagaland have received the due amount. 
 



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