KOHIMA, OCTOBER 15 (MExN): After the NDPP and the Chief Minister’s Office, the Department of Law & Justice took the turn to refute the news report claiming that Chief Minister Neipiu Rio was grilled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a corruption case relating to the Nagaland High Court construction project.
In a press rejoinder, issued on October 15, Commissioner & Secretary, Law & Justice, maintained that the report published by The New Indian Express was “totally unfounded and wrong.” It provided figures as to the money released by the state government for the long delayed building project, while claiming that the construction “is progressing well.”
According to it, the state government “has so far released Rs 69.71 crore for comprehensive development of the New High Court Complex, including High Court building, six judges bungalow and ancillary works.” It tipped the “physical progress” of the High Court building at 88 percent and the judges’ bungalow at 48 percent, as on September 30, 2022.
On the alleged withdrawal of Rs 44.24 cr for electrification and water supply, it said that the total expenditure on electrification (transformer sub-station) was Rs 48.62 lakh and total expenditure on water supply (tank and reservoir) was Rs 35.34 lakh.
It further stated that no exclusive fund was released for the judges’ bungalow as reported. “Funds have been released for the project in totality inclusive of judges bungalow. No fund of Rs 22.42 crore was released exclusively for the construction of judges bungalow as reported.
Consultancy fee of 5% is in built in the DPR and accordingly payments have been made on account of consultancy fee.”
