DIMAPUR, AUGUST 1 (MExN): A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court seeking CBI inquiry into the usage of funds drawn particularly by the Nagaland State Rural Development Department, PHE Department and the Department of Planning Machinery.
The PIL filed by ST Yapang Lkr and Odi Jamir versus the state of Nagaland and 5 others, informed that as per information acquired through the RTI Act, the Department of Finance, Expenditure ‘A’ Branch has issued 38 Drawal Authority (s) to the Department of Rural Development under Demand No. 42 an amount of Rs 719,67,50,200.
“The said amount was shown drawn for the implementation of MGNREGA Projects, National Rural Livelihood, PMAY, Tranche Central Assistance, grand in aid and salaries to VDB Secretaries,” the PIL informed. It further stated that the Department of Finance, Expenditure ‘A’ Branch issued 4 Drawal Authority(s) to the Department of PHE under Demand No. 60 an amount of Rs 174,21,87000. The said amount was shown drawn for the purposes of operation and maintenance, coverage water quality sustainability, Swach Bharat Mission, various projects under SOAR Plan, NLCPR and NRDWP.
Also, it revealed that the Department of Finance, Expenditure ‘A’ Branch has issued 4 Drawal Authority(s) to the Department of Planning Machinery under Demand No. 27 an amount of Rs 85,69,30, 447. The said amount was shown drawn for the purposes of construction of Hostel for ST girls, Youth Net impact, Construction of Training center for Skill Development, procurement of vehicles (Truck Xenon), acquisition of (and for setting up of Fire Station, KV Power Line, State Truck Terminus and establishment of College, Financial assistance to entrepreneurs under CM Corpus fund, construction works of protection wall, drainage, blacktopping and other civil works and various scheme under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India.
The PIL alleged that the amounts drawn by the departments were “never judiciously utilized for the purpose of progressive and genuine welfare activities of the citizens.” “The entire amount appears to have been swindled, siphoned and pocketed by corrupt officials,” it claimed and called for a CBI inquiry.
The court in an order, dated July 28, issued notice to the respondents and listed the matter after four weeks.
