DIMAPUR, JANUARY 6 (MExN): The Nagaland State Department of Rural Department today issued a clarification in response to the Leader of the Opposition, TR Zeliang’s allegations that Rs 96 Crores meant for Village Development Boards (VDBs) had been “looted.”
A press note issued by the Director of Rural Development, Imlimeren Jamir said that release of funds to VDBs is subject to certain procedure/criteria. “As such, Grant-in-aid fund to VDBs cannot be misused by the Department since the DPDB is responsible for all implementation of the VDB Schemes,” the department said.
It informed that as per the VDB Model Rules 1980, once the department makes allocation, VDBs have to formulate their own schemes and submit to the Block. “After satisfying all procedures and formalities, the Block shall tender a full report to the DP&DB/SDP&DB for deliberation and approval,” it added.
The department explained that after receiving clearance from the DP&DB, the Block will prepare technical estimates and submit to the Directorate along with the Utilization Certificates, audit reports, VDB Welfare fund Fixed Deposit of the last release.
Following this, at the Directorate level, the Engineering Wing will scrutinise the technical estimates and forward for approval.
On approval of the same, the Directorate will prepare and send Demand Draft to the Deputy Commissioner who is also the Chairman, VDB, it informed.
The department informed that so far “all the Blocks under Peren and Dimapur districts and some blocks under Mon have been cleared,” while the “remaining Blocks are yet to complete the required formalities.”
It meanwhile also clarified that the release of Rs. 96 Crore was “meant for the restoration of backlogs for the year 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2017-18 and not as published.”
Further, the department went on to state that the criteria for household allocation is as follows: 0 - 66 household, a lumpsum of Rs. 66,000; and 67 and above household @ Rs. 1000/- per household.
On Saturday, former Chief Minister and now Leader of the Opposition, TR Zeliang had said that the centre sanctioned Rs 185.09 crores (additional grant by Niti Ayog) on November 8, 2017 for Nagaland and a High Level Committee (HLC) was constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary on December 13, 2017 as per laid down guidelines. Out of the total amount, the HLC had approved a sum of Rs 96 crore for three financial years and that it was finalized and signed on January 17, 2018.
Stating that the then ruling DAN government could not release the same due to the Model Code of Conduct coming into effect, he alleged that “in contravention to the guidelines, the present government has not released the Grant-in-Aid to the VDBs of the State, which is highly questionable.”
