DIMAPUR, JUNE 7 (MExN): Clearing the air on allegations brought out by dissident NPF MLAs Z. Obed and K. Therie with regard to distribution of fund under Chief Minister’s Road Development Fund (CMRDF), N. Chilie, Engineer-in-Chief, NPWD clarified that the Nagaland Road Board (NRB) which had been constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister decided to allot Rs 30 lakhs each to 14 constituencies on priority for taking up some important works in these constituencies. In order to coordinate with the elected members, the office of the Engineer-in-Chief directed the Chief Engineer (R&B) to prepare the proposals on priority basis in consultation with the 14 MLAs. These include the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Chenlom Phom, Advisor (Backward Area), Deo Nukhu, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board, Naiba Konyak, S. Hukavi, Nyemli Phom, S. Heno, Tarie, Torechu, Tiameren, Khutovi, Atomi Zhimomi, Kiyaneilie Peseyie, Speaker NLA and EE Pangteang, Deputy Speaker, NLA.
Chilie clarified that the entire exercise was “not a distribution of cash in any way”. “It is only a works programme for which the formalities are yet to be completed”, he informed while also adding that “whatever decisions are taken by the NRB are, therefore, in the best interest of the public and it has nothing to do with the so called horse-trading by any political party as appeared in certain sections of local dailies”.
The Engineer-in-Chief also informed that the NRB was constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister for finalization of detailed programmes under CMRDF for every financial year. The board had its meeting on April 18, 2007 for the year 2007-08 with Chief Minister as Chairman, Tokheho, Minister, Deo Nukhu, Lalhuma, Chief Secretary, Lalthara, Development Commissioner, M. Kithan, C&S (W&H) and Menukhol John, Special Secretary (Finance) all as members and N. Chilie, Engineer-in-Chief as Member Secretary.
It was also clarified that after thorough discussion on the request received from the elected members as well as the public, the NRB approved the final list of schemes basing on priority. “In addition to the normal list of works the board also approved for distribution of some amount to all the R&B working divisions numbering 24 for maintenance of town roads with Rs 50 lakhs each for Dimapur and Kohima divisions and Rs 15 lakhs each for the remaining 22 divisions.
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