Dimapur, December 4 (MExN): Concerned citizens of Yimapang village in Wokha want to know from the PWD department about the use of Rs. 36.77 lakhs meant for a particular developmental work – a ‘work’ that has not even taken place. The money has been drawn but the purported “developmental work” under the PHE department, has yet to be seen.
A concerned citizen, seeking information under RTI, on the seeming anomaly, said records of work programmes for year 2008-2009 of the Public Health Engineering department said a budget provision of Rs. 37. 03 lakhs was given for year 2007-2008. This amount, under a centrally-sponsored scheme, is for ‘some developmental work’ in Yimpang village under Wokha district. The money already spent was recorded to be Rs. 36.77 Lakhs for year 2007-2008 with only Rs. 0.26 lakhs showing as balance for 2008-2009. The concerned citizen said this record indicated 99% of the estimated amount to be already drawn.
“When the chairman of Yimpang village was contacted whether any development works were carried out by the PHE department during 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, it was informed that no developmental work has ever been taken up by the PHE department till date” the citizen seeking information under RTI said.
The citizen from Yimpang presently residing in Kohima has sought information and details from the department in concern regarding the purported “development work”. Details have been sought from the department for what the money was actually meant for and under whose name the work order was issued. Also, information is sought on whether the money already drawn was by producing a completion certificate or report. The citizen has also sought response if the department has even conducted an on-spot verification before the money was released.
