Hovukhu Village Council says State bureaucrats with ulterior motives have mishandled the project and misguided the Central authorities
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 11 (MExN): The Hovukhu Village Council under Niuland Sub-division, Dimapur district has expresses shock over the report that the foundation stone of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Nagaland is to be laid on October 13, 2012 at Chumukedima by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Communications and Information Technology. A press note to this effect was issued by Viniho Shikhu, Head GB and Tovishe Achumi of Hovukhu village. It has demanded that the October 13 programme be postponed as the “State bureaucrats with ulterior motives have mishandled the project and misguided the Central authorities for their own benefits”.
The sudden decision to shift the NIT to the temporary campus at the DC’s Complex Chumukedima at this juncture has been described as shocking and unfair as all the formalities for setting up the NIT campus at Niuland had already been finalized. “We want to know why the government is cheating the people when an agreement has already been arrived at. Government of the day has betrayed the trust, generosity and goodwill of the people by hijacking the project”, the press note stated. It also stated that such shameless actions are not expected of a government which is the guardian of its citizens.
The press note stated that the NIT was shifted to Nagaland through an Act of Parliament and for this purpose, in April 2011, 300 acres of land was earmarked in Niuland. The NIT Director also visited the proposed site and expressed his satisfaction after which, procurement procedures were initiated, the press note informed. The Hovukhu Village Council stated that this area was much sought after by various departments and even the Army.
However, the said land was given to the Government of Nagaland with the sole purpose of setting up the NIT, bearing in mind the imminent development opportunities and the upliftment of future generations, which is also very clearly stated in the sale deed with the government of Nagaland, the press note stated. It was also stated that for this reason, the Government of Nagaland was able to procure the land at a very nominal rate and without any hiccups.
It was also stated that as recent as January 14, 2012 Ashok Thakur. Special Secretary, MHRD GoI visited the site accompanied by the site selection team and agreed to set up the NIT at the proposed site. He even assured the villagers to invest 400 to 500 crores for setting up the NIT. The Hovukhu Village Council also went on to state about the news report dated April 12, 2012 wherein it was mentioned about a MoU signed between Hindustan Prefab Limited (HPL) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA). The report quoting HUPA said that the designing of the 400 crore construction project was ready and that construction would start within 10-15 days.
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