Morung Express News Dimapur | August 19 On August 3, 2017, The Morung Express published a report about the release of Rs 17 crore by the State Finance Department, Budget & Monitoring Cell for three different projects in Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur. It raised apprehensions about the physical existence of the projects.
Among the three projects was included ‘Establishment of Modern Mechanical Workshops cum Training Institute with attached hostel for trainees, Dimapur’ amounting to Rs 15 crore. Normally, bills are released only on completion of works after furnishing completion certificate and fulfilling all other formalities whereas in this instant case, the amount for the project of Rs 15 crore was released in June 16, 2016 before work completion.
In what appeared to be an attempt to cover-up the matter, the Nagaland State Government in its Independence Day speech 2017 mentioned in page number 11 last line; “The Engineering Wing of the Planning & Coordination Department is implementing the project for ‘Establishment of Modern Mechanical Work Shop-cum-Training Institute with Attached Hostel for Trainees at Dimapur’ amounting to Rs 1500.00 lakhs (Rs 15 crore).” It further stated that the project was funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under Article 275-(1) and would further capacitate the youth in mechanical trade.
It was stated that the Planning & Coordination Department is “implementing” the project but did not mention the actual site of the project in Dimapur. Wherever the site of the project may be, or whether the project has actually been started, the Nagaland Government seems to have flouted rules to release amounts classified under Centrally Sponsored Scheme even before completion of works.
This is not the first time such flaws have been detected in Nagaland Government’s I-Day speeches. Last year, the New Market Business Owners’ Association, Dimapur, installed CCTV cameras in New Market area with contributions from its members. It was launched by Home Minister on March 30, 2016. Surprisingly, in the Independence Day speech of 2016, the State Government included the installation of CCTVs in New Market as one of its own achievements.
The Morung Express had also reported on July 24, 2017 about the release of Rs 5 crore by the Finance Department for Improvement of road from City Tower Junction to DC Court Junction, Dimapur. This amount was also released before any work in this connection had started. It was only after this newspaper published the report that some semblance of improvement works are being carried out currently. However, later on, ACAUT revealed that around Rs 20 crore was actually released for the same project.
