K. Filip Sumi
Aghunaqa | February 28
Bringing the politicians, NGO leaders, undergrounds, government servants, Church leaders etc under the ambit of his speech, Parliamentary Secretary for RD & REPA, Pangnyu Phom said, “no one has the right to dictate over the funds meant for development.” He was speaking in special reference to the newly approved RD Block, BDO Aghunaqa after unveiling the foundation stone for it on Tuesday. He said the infrastructure for the new RD Block will be constructed by the department and cautioned people not to come for taxes or seeking contracts. He added that the department will start building the infrastructure at the earliest.
Pangnyu asserted that most of the centrally sponsored schemes and funds were meant for those living Below Poverty Line but siphoned off at different levels. To stop such malpractices, he called for strengthening of the village administration.
He reminded that the state government has vested the powers with the people for village administration and utilization of its funds. Stating this, Pangnyu urged the people of the area to strive to make BDO Aghunaqa a model block among the 74 blocks in the state.
He also appealed the people to cooperate with the department and government which had approved the new BDO Block keeping in mind the geographic location bordering Assam. Pangnyu lauded the Western Sumis for safeguarding the land of the Nagas along the frontiers.
Further, Pangnyu lamented the lack of professionalism among Nagas as they were constantly trying to build links with each other for their own vested interests. Instead of professionalizing in their own work, he said, politicians, Church leaders, NGOs, bureaucrats etc were all “acting like the other” for selfish interests. “Now the time has come to specialize in our own profession,” he added.
Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi said with the slicing out of Aghunaqa from BDO Niuland, ample room was now created for transparency in management of funds. Earlier, under BDO Niuland 94 villages were covered but with the bifurcation 37 villages had come under BDO Aghunaqa. He said the government was making such exercise so that it will be easier to administer and in turn strengthen the administration. Khekiho urged the department go give special attention to Aghunaqa area which had faced peculiar situation in the past.
MLA Hewoto urged the people to take advantage of the newly created RD Block by co-operating with the department. Stating that all the 37 villages falls under the Disturbed Area Belt and was given a step motherly treatment, he appealed the government to discuss about the welfare of the area in its meetings. He alleged that the funds released for Aghunaqa area were never reaching the actual people and that various other developmental works have either been stopped or taking longer time.
A host of other officials including RD Director Metsubo Jamir, DC Dimapur Hushili Sema, SDO Dimapur Atokhe, ADC Niuland Hotolu and BDOs besides, NGO leaders, GBs, village council members, elders and well wishers attended the programme.
