DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (MExN): The People for Democratic Rights (PDR), a pressure group formed recently, today stated that the public of Dimapur have not been getting their due share of development from the DMC “unlike the last 2-4 years when developmental projects were at its peak at every nook and corner of Municipal area.”
A press note from the PDR information and publicity wing recalled that on March 24, 2015 the Naga Council Dimapur had expressed satisfaction on the “commendable development works” undertaken by the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) through the fund derived from toll tax collection.
The NCD along with various organizations had appealed the government for abolishing the lessee system so that toll tax collection was done directly by DMC and to make the new system permanent, it added.
During that period, the PDR claimed that the “public witnessed humongous developmental activities like construction of roads, bridges, drainages, box culverts to name a few.” Noting that the DMC is still collecting toll tax on its own, the PDR however observed that “many such developmental activities remain to be undertaken in many parts of the municipal jurisdiction today.”
Since last year, developmental activities have almost come to a standstill except the ‘Better Dimapur’ project, it said. The PDR claimed that this is “minimal and a stark contrast to the wide appreciation given to DMC by numerous colonies and wards being published in local dailies.”
The PDR claimed that per month, “the DMC is collecting a total amount of Rs 1 crore approximately only out of toll tax, excluding house rents, trade licenses and other incomes.”
It questioned DMC as to where and how the amount collected through toll tax is utilized. “The ‘Better Dimapur’ project would only consume a meager amount as compared to the toll tax collected and the huge developmental projects undertaken during the previous officer’s tenure,” it reasoned.
Specifically, the PDR pointed out that with the deplorable drainage system in Dimapur, there has been no pre-monsoon preparedness to tackle floods and clogged drainages. “Any amount of beautification undertaken would be rendered meaningless when drainage and sewage flows onto roads. Therefore, the immediate need is to take preventive and corrective measures to see that the city drainage system does not come back to haunt the public with displacement of homes,” it stated.
Accusing the DMC under current dispensation of lacking in “vision and ability to handle the needs of the city,” the PDR cautioned that “mindless and reckless developmental works just to show activity can result in a future catastrophe for the citizens.”
“Public life of Dimapur revolves around the activities of DMC and the Municipal authority may well look into the immediate needs of the people with utmost priority,” it urged.
