Dimapur, May 9 (MExN): The Nagaland Congress today demanded CBI probe into alleged misappropriation of Rs. 21.43 crores in the department of Horticulture during year 2006-2007 to 2007-2008. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) clearly shows that there was no transparency in the subject matter, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee today said.
The NPCC, through its vice president Nillo Rengma, referred to the CAG report that in November 2003 the Government of India had approved the scheme of integrated development of Horticulture in North Eastern states. Accordingly, the Center released a sum of Rs.35.41 crores during 2006 November to December 2007, to the department of Horticulture for implementation of various components of mini-mission–II of the ‘technology mission’. “However, DAN government had pocketed almost all the funds” the NPCC alleged.
The report of the CAG revealed that the closing cash balance as on March 31, 2008, was shown as Rs 24.83 crores in the cash book as against the bank balance of Rs 3.40 crores in Vijaya bank, Kohima and Axis Bank. “Now the question is where is Rs 21.43 crores? Is the said money being kept in some other Bank? It is not. In that case, who have pocketed Rs. 21.43 crores? DAN government is the culprit,” the NPCC observed in its statement. “It is public money for public welfare schemes, not DAN govt’s money to be pocketed by individuals who hold high offices,” the Congress said.
It was also stated that the Directorate of Horticulture and “DAN govt” gave various explanations to the CAG about how the sanctioned money was utilized. However, the Congress said “all their explanations are found to be fictitious” by the CAG. The Congress reminded that the CAG is a constitutional body to audit all expenditures of the government. Its report clearly states that “the sanctioned money being misappropriated to the tune of Rs.21.43 crores and which cannot be ruled out,” the NPCC said. “It is now clearly proven by the constitutional functionary authorities that DAN govt functionaries robbed/misappropriated the money. The guilty party how great or high one may be should be booked immediately. To deliver justice to all, CBI is the right agency to probe into it” it added.
