DIMAPUR, JANUARY 10 (MExN): In yet another allegation on mismanagement of Grand-in-Aid (GIA) sanctioned by the Centre, four legislators from Mokokchung district has revealed ‘arbitrary changes’ by the PDA government in the sub-allocation of funds made by the High Level Committee (HLC).
A joint press statement issued by four MLAs from Mokokchung namely Imkong L Imchen, Dr Nganshi Ao, Amenba Yaden and Dr Imtiwapang on Thursday alleged that the NDPP led PDA government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio altered the sub-allocation of funds prescribed by the HLC which was constituted as per the guidelines of the Centre.
It stated that after a proposal sent by the Nagaland Government; the Centre had provided an additional grant of Rs 185.09 crore under the institution of NITI Aayog, which was sanctioned on November 8, 2017.
Accordingly, after the sanction, the HLC did the sub-allocation for the commoditized department with the Rural Development (RD) department as the nodal department. However, after the NDPP led PDA government was installed in March 2018, the sub-allocation made by the HLC was altered, drastically cutting down the allocated fund, which, the MLAs maintained, went against norms and practice.
The MLAs has now questioned the Chief Minister on the reason for changing the sub-allocation of funds made by the HLC. It also wanted to know whether the views of the Ministers in-charge/Advisors and officials of the departments were sought before the “arbitrary change of the sub-allocation.”
Taking the example of the health and family welfare department, the MLAs pointed out that when the HLC had allocated a sum of Rs 14 crore, the NDPP led PDA government had drastically cut it down to a mere Rs 2 crore.
Seeking the intervention of the Governor of Nagaland to look into the matter and take corrective measures, the MLAs also wanted to know where the remaining amount from the re-allocated funds, which is meant for the public, has gone.
