Dimapur, January 21 (MExN): It is alleged that in the name of development in Mon, more than Rs. 82 lakhs have been drawn by some big, conniving departments and contractors, with special reference to none other than DUDA and LADF. The Nagaland Governor is appealed to, in a letter by a group of village leaders, to intervene and investigate the corruption on, in Oting, Tizit and Lapa village.
A group of 20 persons comprising of anghs, GBs, VC executives, student leaders and concerned citizens from Oting village stated in a ‘open letter’ to the Governor of Nagaland that a total of Rs. 82, 25, 000 (rupees eighty two lakhs, twenty-five thousand) has been drawn with ‘mutual understanding of DDOs of some departments and contractors in Mon.’ The letter informed that not a single development work has been undertaken in Oting during the last five years. Further, no department or ‘representatives’ have approached the village for any related survey and the village continues to be neglected.
“However, it has come to our knowledge that a total amount of Rs. 82, 25, 000 has been withdrawn in the name of fake development works which have not been done at all” the letter informed the governor. The concerned villagers gave this rationale: “If this much amount would have been utilized for the development work of the village, the condition of our village could have been improved to some (extent).”
The governor is appealed to intervene against the corruption and misuse of office by departmental heads, ‘under the mercy of some big-shots or political leaders.’ “Because, we cannot just predict that such practices are not there at all in other villages of Mon district as well as other parts of Nagaland as a whole. Moreover, we all know that corruption is the root cause of our slow development in the state” the letter conceded.
The letter listed out 13 projects/undertakings in Oting, Tizit and Lapa village, fund allotment and the department in-concern under which the money was allegedly drawn.
The alleged drawn money ranged from fifty thousand to 15 lakhs for works ranging from “minor works over all A/cs” to “maintenance of road from Oting to Teyap River” under various development agencies like the LADF, DUDA and DBDP. All this totaled to Rs. 82, 25, 000. For instance in 2005-2006, under DUDA in Oting, Rupees five lakhs was drawn for “const. of waiting sheds.” In 2006-2007 under common pool of DUDA in Oting, Rupees ten lakhs was drawn for “const. of community hall.” Then again during the same year period under DBDP in Oting, Rupees five lakhs was drawn for “const. of protection wall near church.”
However the biggest amounts drawn in the list mentioned Rupees fifteen lakhs each for “maintenance of road L/Lampong to Oting via Longlem” and for “maintenance of road from Oting to Teyap River.” Both were drawn under DBDP and DUDA. Five names of contractors or “beneficiary” were mentioned all who had undertaken contracts for the said 13 undertakings.
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