Allege NPF government is siphoning off funds of Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 30
Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has expressed pain over the delay in finding an amicable solution to the prolonged Naga political problem.
“Given the opportunity, we shall play effective mediatory role to secure political and economic solution for the Naga people,” NPCC president, K. Therie said during a press conference at Congress Bhavan, Dimapur on Saturday.
The press conference was also attended by other NPCC members who had toured all 11 districts of the state under the mission, “NPCC Mass Contact for ‘Change’.”
Having heard the voices of the people in all districts, Therie maintained that “darkness has covered all over Naga people” who were complaining on the delay in finding solution to the Naga political problem. “We believe that respecting the will of the people should be the way and agenda to solve the Naga political problem,” he added.
Taking a dig at the Central Executive Committee of the NPF party which had reiterated its commitment to work for finding an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga problem, Therie said that the NPF was clueless about the content of negotiations for the Naga issue. “Instead of bluffing the Naga people, they (NPF) should admit that they are clueless to the political solution,” he added.
The NPCC President accused the NPF Government of siphoning off funds from Centrally Sponsored Schemes meant for poor sections of the people. Therie said that the government has paid for only three days’ wages under MGNREGA during the current year. He also said that in many of the places that the NPCC toured, the VDBs have admitted that the State government has taken 50% of the funds. He said there were 4, 15, 000 job card holders in the state and if it were to be multiplied by 100 day wages of Rs 167 per day, the amount totals to an approximate Rs 693 crores.
“Where has this money gone? This money has been missing for the last three years,” Therie questioned. He said that in some districts, the 50% of the fund under MGNREGA was converted into MLA’s fund.
Therie said that the Old Age Pension Scheme has also not been paid since it has been “looted” by the State government. He added that the Food and Civil Supplies Department was receiving enough commodities but that it was not reaching the grass root people.
Appealing the Naga people to join a political system if they want to change governance, Therie said the NPCC has brought out a ‘Roadmap’ for change in the form of a booklet which envisages administrative reforms, good governance, welfare schemes, minority participation, poverty reduction, economy of the state etc among several other areas of concern.
