DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): Leader of the NLA Opposition and former Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today issued a statement addressing allegations raised against him with regard to the MNREGS imbroglio in which “abnormal” fund-allocation under Dimapur District was exposed by the NPF.
“The version existing in public domain stands deficient if I do not clarify my standpoint,” said a press note from Zeliang’s office. In regard to MNREGS Fund allocation by the RD Department, he pointed out that sufficient clarification was given by the NPF and if there was any shortcoming on the part of the former, its bounden duty is to come out with clarifications.
“Whatever the circumstances, the Naga Peoples’ Front will be a responsible Opposition Party and will continue to shoulder its duty in the interest of the Naga citizens, inside or outside the Legislative Assembly,” the former CM said.
He meanwhile stated that attempts to silence the opposition by “roping in one’s own village, clan or family will be the greatest political evil the State of Nagaland has experienced till date.” He reminded that in the present context, the conflict is not between two people or between two clans/villages or NGOs but is rather between the concerned department and the general MNREGS beneficiaries, “the facts and figures of which the department should have figured out by now while putting all doubts and confusions to rest.”
“As a human being, I might have committed mistakes,” the former CM said. Zeliang however added that he fails to recollect any action/s taken against the current Principal Secretary, Rural Department “based on hatred or enmity some 20 years back.” “I would like to know the kind of allegation that I, as Forest Minister during 1998-2003, had leveled” against the current Principal Secretary “as reflected in the statement" of his clan, Zeliang asked.
“The nature of alleged action taken against the officer, who was a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) at that period of time as stated in the statement, must be clearly spelled-out to avoid misperception and negative supposition because, as a matter of fact, I had never given any adverse remark, be it in the ACR or in file noting,” he claimed.
“As far as my memory goes, I remember only one thing which was in regard to his transfer and posting,” the former CM said, revealing that “on his personal request,” the official concerned was transferred from Peren to Dimapur with additional charge of Kohima Division as DFO.
“In due course of time, complaints came from other officers reasoning that one officer should not hold dual charge of two Districts since the Department had sufficient officers. As such, he was relieved of Dimapur Division and retained as DFO, Kohima which was done following normal procedure without any adverse remark or allegation raised,” Zeliang said.
Besides this, if the Principal Secretary has the impression that Zeliang had acted against him, the Leader of the Opposition asked the officer to “come out with the kind of action or allegation I had initiated against him so that I will be in a position to clarify individually or openly, if the need arises.”
