Urges NEC to conduct independent survey of past projects before approving new ones
Dimapur, July 18 (MExN): The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has urged the North East Council (NEC) not to undertake any new projects in Nagaland until an independent survey of all the past NEC projects is carried out in the state.
In a representation to the NEC Secretary on Monday, the RPP stated that Nagaland state has probably the highest per capita share of projects being implemented in the country; however, “most of the projects including CSS, NEC or DoNER projects are implemented only on paper.”
It also requested the NEC to withhold approval of the latest ‘Prioritized Project’ list of 30 projects amounting to Rs 120 crore that was submitted by the Nagaland Cabinet dated on June 21 this year under NEC 2022-23.
Among others, the RPP cited the latest CAG Report, and said that fiscal mismanagement and fraudulent withdrawals amounting to thousands of crores is systemic and unchecked. It also said that the NITI Aayog has ranked Nagaland as the Worst Performing State in 6 parameters (poverty, health, affordable energy, sustainable cities, industries and infrastructure) as per SDGI index, 2021.
“Ours is also the Worst Performing State as per State Energy and Climate index (SECI), NITI Aayog 2022. Nagaland ranks an embarrassingly 33rd out of 35 states & UTs,” it said, adding that Nagaland also ranks as the Worst Performing State under the National Health Index 2019-20 (NITI Aayog).
Stating that the “justification for the NEC not to approve Nagaland projects is manifold,” the RPP also pointed out that the state’s budget deficit is ‘perpetual’ with the latest being minus Rs 2212.74 crore for the year 2022-23.
In the representation, the RPP also underscored that Nagaland is presently the only state in India without a medical college wherein the lone project implemented in the year 2014 is still incomplete after 9 long years.
“Nagaland High Court building remains incomplete even after 15 years. Suffice to point out; exorbitant amount has been sanctioned by the Central government without any output. PIL with regard to this issue is still pending in the High Court with both the CBI and the ED pursing the matter,” it added.
Additionally, it said that Nagaland University ranks as the worst in the North East region with scores in the 151-200 band under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
According to the RPP, while the Government of India is going the last mile in ensuring that the fruits of development reaches all corners of the country, “not even one (1) of the 30 prioritized projects as submitted by the state government is in the ‘Aspirational District’ of Kiphire.”
It went on to request the NEC to disengage in undertaking new projects in the state, in the interest of justice and to give fruition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of corruption-free India, adding that it’s positive action would do much to inculcate good governance in the state.
“While the NEC as a statutory body is tasked with the vision for the overall development of the NER, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) would like to remind the NEC that it has a moral obligation not to create an enabling environment to propagate corruption,” it added.
