DIMAPUR, AUGUST 6 (MExN): Chetheba Town Area Landowners’ Association (CTALOA) today alleged that there has been “misappropriation” of public funds meant for damage compensation during the ongoing two lane Chakhabama-Zunheboto road project.
A press release from the CTALOA Convener, Vekhole Rahakho alleged that the first beneficiary list disclosed to the public had “some bogus beneficiaries along with issues of non-inclusion, underpaid and overpaid compensations.”
“Accordingly, complaint was lodged and spot re-verification was conducted, but to our utter dismay, the re-verified beneficiary list contains more bogus (beneficiaries) than the earlier one as per RTI reply,” the association stated. It further said that “minority landowners have been facing unabated reaction from bogus supporters…”
It informed that the CTALOA had written to the Deputy Commissioner, Phek on June 18 apprising the latter of “misappropriation of funds and non inclusion of genuine beneficiaries under damage compensation.” It however lamented that instead of addressing the complaints, the DC issued an order to “immediately clear up/vacate the compensated damaged properties which is tantamount to his blatant approval of the misappropriation/bogus beneficiaries in the compensation exercise.”
It further informed that the landowners have apprised the Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC), Chetheba Town and the Chief Secretary, Nagaland as well with regard to the issue. However no action has been taken, it claimed.
“Due to excessive bogus beneficiaries, many landowners were deprived of their right to adequate damage compensation and the landowners were suppressed of their right to avail claim and objection period as the District Land Acquisition Authority flouted procedural norms in acquiring land,” it stated.
The association, while expressing support to the 2-lane project, however demanded that adequate compensation be paid at the earliest.
“The landowners are not claiming for any compensation without a sanction budget but we are claiming all categories of approved damage compensation as per government sanction and approved rates (based on a copy of Govt. approved sanction),” it said.
