Wokha, April 3 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho has alleged discrimination in the Nagaland state government’s “Road Fund Distribution” for the last three years, 2014 – 2017. In a press statement, the Hoho claimed that Wokha district was “discriminated and treated even inferior to the Sub Divisions.”
“Fund allocations with normal variations is understandable; but the variations seem to be beyond logic and the Lotha Hoho wants to know on what basis the Road funds, for the various years have been distributed,” demanded the Hoho Chairman, Mhao Humtsoe and General Secretary, Er. Mhondamo Ovung.
With only Rs. 370.00 lakhs allocated for the whole district, the statement alleged, Wokha received less fund than the following sub divisions/R&B divisions: Kohima South (Rs. 2747.75 lakh); Phek (Rs. 960.50 lakh); Mokokchung (Rs. 704 lakh); Peren (Rs. 687 lakh); Aboi (Rs. 490 lakh); Pughoboto (Rs. 475 lakh); Tseminyu (Rs. 470 lakh); Zunheboto sub division (Rs. 470 lakh); Tuensang sub division (Rs. 400 lakh).
“When various sub divisions, with road lengths much less than that of Wokha got more fund than Wokha, it surely amounts to discrimination. Will the state government and Lotha MLAs explain to the Nagas, as to why Wokha district should be discriminated?” it further questioned.
Pointing out that the roads within Wokha Town are the worst among the roads in Nagaland and many of the district roads are left unattended, the Lotha Hoho also asked whether the State government will allot fund to Wokha district for renovation and running maintenance of roads in the district.
“Since the Wokha-Merapani Road has recently been declared as NH (after having been neglected by the state govt for the last many years), why not renovate the Wokha-Bokajan Road which has almost been abandoned, since the BRO left the road about a decade ago,” it added.
The Wokha-Bokajan road, which directly connects Wokha with Dimapur, the statement said, is very prospective for the district since most commercial and non official businesses are carried out via Dimapur. However, it lamented that the road from Bokajan to Wokha is bypassed at Ralan in Wokha and diverted to Botsa (Touphema village) and being constructed as one of the best roads.
“Is this not unfair to give priority to a village and bypass the District headquarter?” it asked.
Meanwhile, the Lotha Hoho questioned whether Lotha MLAs will speak for the rights of the Lotha people. “We do not accept the argument that MLAs should adhere to the political party’s whip/directives/decisions because you are there as our representative and for our rights. Yes, for normal functioning and for common causes, we agree that you honour your party’s decisions but not when you own electorate is discriminated. If you do not speak for your electorate, your being our MLA is meaningless,” the statement asserted.
