Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 25
Following reports highlighting the possibility of fund misuse by HIV/AIDS implementing departmental portals in Nagaland, the State government has asked the Health & Family Welfare department to table documents pertinent to project implementation and relative data on fund utilization. Side by side, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on HIV/AIDS will also be meeting soon to enquire into the fund use of the State Health department/ NSACS, over the last one and a half year.
It was earlier informed that the State’s Health & Family Secretary, was directed by the Chief Secretary of Nagaland to produce relevant details highlighting the margin of fund utilized by the department and the NSACS, the implementing agency through which the health department undertakes HIV/AIDS campaigns in the State. The JPC is also said to have asked NSACS to table the same matter to the committee for scrutiny. However, the demanded information is yet to be received, it was informed.
When contacted, Chief Secretary Lalhuma expressed cognizance of media reports implying possible corruption within the Health department or its implementing agency, the NSACS, in their HIV/AIDS project implementation.
“I have asked for detailed information and documents from the Health & Family Welfare Secretary on the fund used and grants” the Chief Secretary confirmed. He said that the documents and details regarding the margin of project sanction and their implementation would be scrutinized. “The details have to be checked; how much of the fund they have received from the NACO been used and what (amount) have not been” Lalhuma explained adding that recently there was a meeting with HIV/AIDS concern organizations. He informed to have instructed the organizations “to be alert” on fund utilization and their relative implementation of campaign projects.
To the query what the government expects to find in the details demanded, if received, especially in the wake of reports highlighting the NACO’s displeasure of the health department’s fund use, he was managerial: “Fund is fund. We need to know the subject and investigate into the matter thoroughly.”
Meanwhile, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS, the result of a consensus in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly last December, will be meeting after the ongoing Assembly Session. The first meeting of the committee was had on February 16, 2007. MLA Taka Masa, member of the committee said the reports of fund misuse would be investigated and for this, the NSACS have been asked to produce all relevant data. However, it was yet to be received, he said. “As soon as the documents are tabled we will scrutinize the matter in the second sitting” he said.
The JPC will also look into last year’s case of missing Rs 2 crores where one Richard Humtsoe was charged of fraud.
Mention may be made here that the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) had recently expressed dissatisfaction over funds meant for HIV/AIDS campaigns in Nagaland ‘getting stuck up there’ and not ‘reaching those who really need it.’ Concern was expressed that funds might be either ‘getting stuck’ in the Health & Family Welfare department/NSACS before reaching the campaign implementing agencies and related organizations across the state, or projects are not been implemented as desired.
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