Dimapur, August 7 (MExN): The Niuland Area Citizens' Forum (NACF) on Sunday questioned the Cell of Minority Affairs under Planning & Co-ordination Department in Nagaland on the status of a 200-bedded health center/Sub District Hospital project at Niuland which was sanctioned in 2020.
“We will protest if it is not clarified within a week time, and for which we should not be held responsible if any unwanted situation arise out of the issue,” the Forum stated in a press release.
Funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and Finance, Government of India (GoI) under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) centrally sponsored scheme, “The total cost worked out for the project as per the recommendation of MOH&FW is Rs 11702.00 lakh, Vide OM No 7(15)/2020-NHM-1 dated 16.11.2020,” the Forum stated in the press release.
According to the Forum, the project was recommended by the Government of Nagaland and the GoI, with 90:10 sharing ratio (central share Rs 10531.80 lakh and state share 1170.20 lakh) and the first installment share is already released. “However, till now no construction is carried out,” the Forum stated, while questioning as to where the project has gone since the bill is already being released.
“The citizens’ of Niuland is beginning to suspect and wonder whether this scheme is being converted to ghost project,” the release stated.
The Forum also pointed out that Niuland which is a recently created district with a huge populace, requires development and many facilities. Among this, a good hospital with proper health facilities is a prime concern and top priority for the people of Niuland at this juncture, it said.
However, it is learned that the scheme for a 200-bedded hospitals in Niuland which was approved and sanctioned in the year 2020 is nowhere to be found, despite the work allotment stating that the construction is to be done in Niuland, the Forum maintained.
“This matter is a serious concern for the citizens of Niuland district and surrounding areas,” it said, while recounting that “some of the major schemes and project which was supposed to be implemented in Niuland back then was diverted to other district or cities.” Despite that, it said that the people if the district had reposed faith in the government hoping that it would bring something good for the people of Niuland district.
“NACF would like to make it loud and clear that we will not remain silent again and be deprived of the basic needs as had happened in the recent past. We will continue to pursue the matter until the 200-bedded hospital is constructed at Niuland,” it said.
“We have right to know where is 200 bedded hospital at Niuland. Why the construction has still not started?” it questioned.
