DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has raised serious concerns regarding the use of public funds in relation to infrastructure developments associated with the Hornbill Festival, accusing the state government of turning the event into a "giant money laundering enterprise."
While acknowledging Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's role in single-handedly bringing global attention to Nagaland's tourism sector, the RPP argued that the festival’s growth has come at a significant cost. In a statement, the party questioned the use of Rs 100 crore sanctioned by the NDPP-BJP coalition for the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, which was allocated for "infrastructure development" at Kisama Heritage Village.
Terming it a classic case of money laundering, the RPP said the coalition government demolished the spanking pavilion/rostrum at Kisama Heritage Village and built a new one at the highly inflated cost of Rs 52 Cr.
It pointed out the contrast in priorities between this expenditure and the government’s reluctance to address pressing infrastructural needs in the state. Specifically, the NFHRCC has been pushing for the release of Rs 145 crore for the construction of the Foothill Road, while Dimapur’s crumbling infrastructure, including roads and flyovers, remains largely ignored. The Dimapur Urban Citizens' Forum (DUCCF) recently highlighted the urgent need for improvements in the city, calling attention to the lack of proper roads and amenities.
Further criticism was leveled at the state government’s spending on the renovation of the Town Hall at Dimapur Supermarket, which was allocated Rs 18 crore, an amount the RPP argued could have been used to build a new world-class facility. In stark contrast, the Old Fly-Over in Dimapur was allocated a mere Rs 2 crore for renovation works, despite the city's urgent need for more flyovers and improved infrastructure.
The RPP also revealed that both the Town Hall and the Kisama works were awarded to the same contractor.
In light of these concerns, the RPP has demanded that the state government provide a full accounting of how the Rs 100 crore allocated for Kisama was spent, as well as details regarding the revenue generated by these projects.
