State government yet to release major share of fund
Morung Express News
Kohima/Dimapur | November 16
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on November 16, once again reprimanded the Nagaland Government for not fully releasing its share of fund for the ongoing construction of Nagaland medical college in Kohima.
When the Central Government (Government of India) has released 90% of the project cost, there is no reason why the State should be far behind, observed the Division Bench of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema, expressing dissatisfaction over non-release of the funds despite earlier direction.
The need for medical college in the State is strongly felt by everybody, the Bench added, resuming hearing a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) pertaining to the medical college project and other issues related to public health on Wednesday.
During the hearing, the Additional Advocate General Nagaland submitted a letter written by the Additional Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Health & Family Welfare Department (DoH&FW) dated November 11 informing that the Planning Department has accorded clearance of Rs 7,52,50,000 on November 10.
The amount is out of the Nagaland Government’s share of Rs 18.90 crore for the medical college project.
The remaining amount would be released on submission of Utilisation Certificate, the letter added.
We are not satisfied with the submission of the Addl AG because the direction given by us was in view of the difficulties expressed by the implementing agencies in meeting the financial requirements for completion of the project, the Bench stated.
Accordingly, the State Chief Secretary was given two weeks time or until November 30 to file affidavit showing compliance with earlier direction on October 19. The Court then directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit on or before the next date of hearing informing when the State’s share of fund would be released.
Meanwhile, as per the October 19 direction, the Secretary, DoH&FW has filed an affidavit stating that recruitment process of teaching faculty including professors, associate professor and assistant professor and senior resident/tutor for the Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research would be completed by January 2023.
The affidavit also informed that that all the civil works have been completed to the extent required by the National Medical Commission.
Listing the matter for next hearing on November 30, the Bench also directed the DoH&FW to file affidavit showing the latest status of the progress of the work on or before the date mentioned.
