The Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has noted with concern the baseless allegations made against it in the local media. In response to the said allegations, the DMC desires to set the records straight so that’the citizens of Dimapur Town are not misled.
The DMC is a statutory body and its functions are governed by the Nagaland Municipal Council Act, 2001. There are stringent provisions in the Act relating to the management of its finances. In terms thereof, in every financial year, the accounts of the DMC are audited by the Finance Department, Government of Nagaland along with the office of the Accountant General, Nagaland. The audit reports are public documents and accessable to every citizen. Therefore, as far as allegations of financial irregularities are concerned, one need only to peruse the audit reports to see that the allegations of financial irregularities are without any basis.
The DMC discharges its duties with a view to providing civic amenities to the citizens of Dimapur town. In the process, funds are utilized through internal resource mobilization. It would not be out of place to mention that the Governments through the Department of Urban Development has been extending every possible assistance through financial assistance, grants, machineries, etc. However, the assistance of the Government is insufficient to meet the needs of the DMC. Also, since the inception of the DMC on February, 2005, there have been changes in its leadership on four occasions. The present Chairperson took over office on 2.4.08 and most of the allegations of financial irregularities, apart from being baseless, pertain to the tenures of previous incumbents.
Prior to 2.4.08, as per the records of the DMC, the developmental activities were the construction of 22 garbage collection centres in Dimapur town, earth filling in the low lying areas of Super Market and the construction of market sheds during the tenure of the Chairpersonship of Y. Vikheho Awomi. Post 2.4.08, the activities of the DMC under the Chairpersonship of Mr. K. Khekaho Assumi deserves mention and the same are as hereunder:
(a) Black topping of 11 Kms. of roads in different wards.
(b) The construction of 150 garbage collection centres in different wards. (c) The construction of 6 Kms. of drain in different wards.
(d) The construction of 22 bore wells in different wards.
(e) Foot paths in the following areas:
(i) Dhobinala to ADC Court.
(ii) City Tower to ADC Court.
(iii) Tourist Lodge area
(iv) East Police Station area
(v) Burma Camp area.
(f) The modernization of the office establishment with the installation of computers, purchase of photocopying machine, office furniture, reverse osmosis filter machine for drinking water, renovation of office building and rooms, installation of Air Conditioners, carpeting, etc.
(g) Demolition of unauthorized and illegal structures in Dimapur town over a period of three months.
The dedication and commitment of the present Chairperson also deserves mention. At his own expense, he has sent four groups comprising of Councilors numbering 3 to 6 in each group on study, exposure and familiarisation tours to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bhutan and Dubai between the months of October, 2008 to March, 2009. These tours have been beneficial not only for the Councilors who interacted with the civic bodies of the aforementioned places, but the benefits will also translate to activities in Dimapur town from the knowledge gained in these tours.
The DMC is committed to providing the best civic amenities to the citizens of Dimapur town. In this objective, there are constraints of resources but more important than financial constraints is the support and cooperation of the citizens of
Dimapur town. Many developmental activities are on going projects and some are yet to be initiated for various reasons, including pending litigation. One project which is soon to be implemented is the setting up of a modem abattoir at Burma Camp. Safe and hygienic meat for the citizens of Dimapur town is a priority for the DMC. In the pursuit of developmental activities, the DMC seeks the support of the citizens as well as sacrifices in public interest. 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 a housing for the urban poor and the construction of a parking and shopping complex at New Market.
The allegations from within. the family of the DMC is most unfortunate. As baseless, groundless and reckless as they are, the DMC takes the allegations as a blessing in disguise and whilst cautioning the said Councilor from behaving in such an irresponsible manner, it would be appropriate to mention that the allegations against the DMC can only be expected from someone who has attended office only on 5 days in the last 17 months. He may not be aware that the DMC has constructed 8 garbage collection centres and a major drain running about 600 feets in his ward. He is also definitely not aware that the salaries of the staff are regularly paid and his allegations in this regard are fanciful. As far as the appointments are concerned, the figures quoted are not correct. The cleaning of Dimapur town is a huge task and to meet the exigent needs of this task, temporary appointments have been made. In some instances, some persons were appointed without formal orders. Therefore, to correct this injustice, appointment orders were issued. However, in all cases, the appointments are temporary in nature.
Developmental activities must not be mixed up with party politics. The DMC releases this article for publication with a view to clear any misgivings the citizens of Dimapur may have on reading the articles which appeared in the media on 26.8.09. The citizens of Dimapur town are the best judge of the activities of the DMC and it is hoped that they will not be influenced by campaigns of misinformation.
Nungsang Jamir
Member-in-Charge
Planning & Development
For and on behalf of the Dimapur Municipal Council
