Kohima, April 19 (MExN): Responding to the media reports on misappropriation of Rs 402 crore by the State Department of Food & Civil Supplies (F&CS) which were based on the CAG Report 2015, the Secretary of F&CS today stated that the department is yet to receive any such allegation either from the CAG or from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly which is the authority to examine the CAG report.
The Secretary, Ramongo Lotha, in a press release further stated that the delay in the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Nagaland is due to resource crunch faced by the State.
He admitted it is “quite difficult” for Nagaland to arrange the State’s share which will amount to Rs 1009.14 lakh in the first year, and Rs 759 lakh in the subsequent years. “That is why the State had earlier proposed to the Government of India to allow a special funding pattern of 90:10 for Nagaland instead of the general pattern of 75:25. However, this was finally not agreed to thereby leading to certain delays in implementation of the NFSA in the State,” the F&CS Secretary stated.
It was mentioned that the State Cabinet had already decided to implement the NFSA in the State much before the visit of the Union Minister as revealed to him by the Chief Minister during their meeting. The Department will commence online allocation for the districts of Kohima and Dimapur by May, 2016, the NFSA roll out for Kohima and Dimapur districts by June 2016, and for the entire State by July, 2016, followed by implementation of Fair Price Shop Automation in Peren district on pilot basis, Ramongo added.
With regard to the allegation that non implementation of NFSA and non receipt of Hill Transport Subsidy (HTS) have deprived beneficiaries of several thousand metric tonnes of food grains, the Secretary termed the accusation “totally absurd” stating non implementation of NFSA till date has not affected normal supply of food grains in any way, and normal allocation has been continuing all these months.
Availability or non-availability of HTS also has not affected Subsidized Good Grains Delivery though pending claims of transporters under HTS to the tune of Rs 14 crore is yet to be cleared by the FCI, he said.
However, as directed by the Union Minister, a Special Task Force will be set up to clear the matter within three months’ time, the release added.
The Secretary further clarified that Mid Day Meal Scheme does not fall within the purview of the Department of Food & Civil Supplies.
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