Kohima, July 31 (MExN): The Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) in its emergency General Body Meeting (GBM) recently highlighted the government’s failure to implement various schemes which directly involved the Panchayats. The meeting attended by all the 42 Panchayat and Sector Chairmen under Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) was held on July 19 at the association’s office in Kohima.
The house deliberated on the government schemes for providing subsidized loans and allotments of Basic Service for Urban Poor (BSUP) flats in Kohima in 3 complexes since 2015. Two of the complexes are completed and one is yet to be completed, it was highlighted, according to a press release from AKMWP President, Neibulie Kiewhuo and Secretary, Thejao Sekhose.
The release said that forms in three different colors for the different complexes for allotment of flats were made available to all the 19 wards of Kohima for judicious selection of beneficiaries. The same was submitted by the wards concerned in 2015. However, the allotment was jeopardized by the then Addl. Director and HOD of Municipal Affairs department who was ultimately suspended by the Govt. of Nagaland, the meeting pointed out, lamenting that the allotment of the flats has not materialized till date.
Regarding the officer’s suspension, the Association maintained that suspension alone is not a punishment; hence, the Vigilance Directorate has initiated an inquiry against him. However, it stated, no action taken report (ATR) has been made available to the public domain till date.
The Association further noted that a scheme of Rs. 1 lakh was flooded for urban poor beneficiaries in the year 2008-2007, where Panchayats were given forms to select the beneficiaries and submit the forms within a short time. The selected beneficiaries had to run from pillar to post to acquire all the required documents, spending more than Rs. 1000 and above, it said. “When the government was asked on the same after two/three years, we are told that the loan is a forgotten case,” the Association said.
With regard to the present Housing for All scheme, AKMWP informed that another loan in three categories was launched last year, and in the month of June 2016, the beneficiaries were asked to submit additional documents which was complied with by every ward. “Now, the question is, whether this scheme will also be a forgotten case after sometime like the former schemes,” AKMWP wondered.
The house, according to the release, resolved to pursue the matter tooth and nail this time with agencies concerned through the apex body – AKMWP. In the event of failure or delay, the release said, the department concerned for the scheme shall be wholly answerable and not the ward Panchayat authorities, “who are being questioned for every failure of the Govt. and at times are being suspected of drawing the money in partnership with the department officials.”
Meanwhile, the house welcomed the launching of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by the Chief Minister of Nagaland on June 29.
