DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has termed the controversy over the road projects for Lephory-Molhe and Akhen-Star Road in Meluri sub division of Phek district as a sign of “shameless naked corruption.”
A press release from the NPCC President, K Therie said that Rs 65.6927 crores was drawn by the NDPP Government “without even removing a leaf of grass.” It stated that in the name of construction of Lephory/Molhe road work order of Rs.30 crores was drawn and for the Ankhen to Star Lake stretch, work order of Rs.5.69 crores was drawn. It added that additional fund of Rs 30 crores was allotted in two separate orders and drawn by the government in October, 2018.
“This was first exposed by RPP but no progress was made to satisfy the public. Government is only trying to hide the issue,” the NPCC claimed. The party questioned why the Executive Engineer Phek at the corresponding time prepared bills “without even removing a leaf of grass.” “Why has the Chief Engineer or Engineer in Chief at the corresponding time failed to verify? Why additional fund was proposed?” it posed. The Congress said that the department as a whole has moral responsibility in the conduct and is answerable to the people.
“Allotment of additional fund of Rs 30 crores in two separate orders are clear evidence that Finance Minister and PWD Minister have also collaborated in the crime. It cannot also escape from the knowledge of the MLA representing the constituency,” it alleged.
The NPCC demanded that the owner of Rhino Construction come out honestly on “whether he has looted the whole Rs 65.69 crores himself.” If not justify the expenditure in the public domain, it said.
The NPCC went on to claim that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) “is a group of selfish people, unable to control the instinct of ‘I want more'. They shamelessly grab whatever public funds come before them.”
Further, the Congress alleged that Rs 300 crores meant for development in the ENPO area also “vanished into thin air.” “BJP, NPF & NDPP alliance government has been attacking backward areas in development ever since they came to power by centralizing contract works and payments,” it claimed.
It alleged that the conduct of the State Government “amounts to collaboration in the fraud.” “The act is an explicit display of dishonesty and criminal mindset in enriching themselves shamelessly and yet, they call themselves people’s government,” the NPCC said.
