Dimapur, August 26 (MExN): The Dimapur Municipal Council today refuted all charges leveled against it by a councilor yesterday who spelled out a number of allegations that pointed to financial irregularities and “self-style” functioning. The council today issued an elaborate statement countering the charges leveled by councilor Hejeto of ward -nine.
Referring to the implied financial irregularities, the DMC said its accounts are audited by the Finance department, Government of Nagaland and the Accountant General of Nagaland. The audit reports are public documents and accessible to every citizen, the council stated. As far as allegations of financial irregularities are concerned, the council said “one need only to peruse the audit reports to see that the allegations of financial irregularities are without any basis.”
The DMC said to be carrying out its duties and in the process, funds are utilized through “internal resource mobilization.” The department of Urban Development has been extending all possible assistance with finance, grants and machineries. However, the DMC said the assistance of the Government is “insufficient to meet the needs of the DMC.” Interesting, the DMC said, there have been changes in its leadership on four occasions with the present chairperson taking office on April 2, 2008 “and most of the allegations of financial irregularities, apart from being baseless, pertain to the tenures of previous incumbents.”
The DMC also listed out a number of works said to have been undertaken by the DMC in the city. “The providing of amenities would require the conduct of further demolition drives particularly in congested areas, roads, drains and water ways. These would be necessary for implementing contemplated projects like the widening of roads, construction of proper drainage and sewage systems, construction of housing for the urban poor and the construction of a parking and shopping complex at New Market,” the council explained at length.
Turning its sight on the councilor, the DMC cautioned him “from behaving in such an irresponsible manner.” The allegations against the DMC can only be expected from someone “who has attended office only on 5 days in the last 17 months,” the council remarked.
Over the queries raised by the councilor over delayed salaries to the DMC’s staff, the council simply said “he is also definitely not aware that the salaries of the staff are regularly paid and his allegations in this regard are fanciful.” Over alleged excess appointments in the municipal body, the DMC said “the figures quoted are not correct.” The “cleaning” of Dimapur is a huge task and to meet the exigent needs of the task, “temporary appointments have been made.” The DMC however admitted that “in some instances, some persons were appointed without formal orders.” But in all cases, the DMC clarified, the appointments are “temporary in nature.” “Developmental activities must not be mixed up with party politics,” the DMC said.
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