Dimapur, June 19 (MExN): The Nagaland unit Congress party today ridiculed the Naga People’s Front congratulating the chief minister on receiving the “record highest” Plan allocation of “Rs. 2212 Crore” (Rs. 712 Crore for the 6th Revised Pay) for 2010–2011. The Congress reminded the state government that the elation was ‘quite deceptive’ considering that the Plan allocation had one too many break-ups to fill gaps.
Yesterday, the NPF had ‘congratulated’ Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the DAN government “on the remarkable achievement” of “bringing a record highest” plan allocation for Nagaland of what the NPF gave the figure as “Rs. 2212 crores.”
“The NPF may think it could mislead the people of Nagaland with gross figures at face value. But on deeper analysis of the figures it reveals what meets more than the eyes,” the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee’s media cell stated in a note today.
The Congress ahs also raised a question: If the Centre gave Rs. 712 Crore for the 6th RoP, why the NPF-led DAN government is offering only notional effect from June 1, 2008 to CANSSEA. “This can only mean, either the DAN Govt. had received Rs. 80 crores only for 6th RoP or trying to rob Rs. 632 crores (712 – 80 = 632) from the employees which obviously is to cover the period from April 1, 2004 to May 31, 2007,” the Congress stated.
‘The total Plan outlay of the State for 2010–2011 is Rs. 1500 Crore with no changes from 2009 – 2010 as the chief minister himself had stated earlier. There was no such ‘step up’ in the allocation as the NPF erroneously calculated at 47%. It is very clear that, while working out the state’s Plan programs it would be confined within Rs. 1500 crores. It can in no way touch Rs. 712 crores meant for implementation of 6th RoP. If the NPF claim that the total outlay is pegged at Rs. 2212 crores, it’s a matter of time when the people will see whether the coming Plan budget figures are worked out within that figure. Else, the DAN government would have to explain on the missing link.”
The Congress also reminded the NPF that the chief minister himself had categorically stated that Rs. 712 crore was meant to meet the shortfall in expenditure for implementation of the 6th RoP. This figure covers the requirement of fund for implementation of 6th RoP w.e.f April 1, 2004. Rs. 80 crores additional grant was said to be for implementation of 6th RoP with notional effect from June 1, 2008.
“Now, the big question here is; if the GoI had generously given Rs. 712 crores for 6th RoP, why is the NPF-led DAN government offering only notional effect from June 1, 2008 to CANSSEA? This can only mean, either the DAN Govt. had received Rs. 80 crores only for 6th RoP or trying to rob Rs. 632 crores (712 – 80 = 632) from the employees which obviously is to cover the period from April 1, 2004 to May 31, 2007,” the Congress stated.
While the people of Nagaland have reasons to rejoice and thank the Centre for its generosity, the Congress said, it is unbecoming of the NPF to claim full credit on reasons not counted as parameters to approve the Plan outlay.
“It is absurd for NPF to think that the plan outlay was approved on whimsical grounds as cited by them. The full credit should go to the Congress-led UPA government,” the NPCC’s media cell said and thanked the Centre for being sympathetic to the people of Nagaland despite having known the DAN government’s gross misuse of funds as the sole reason for the precarious financial health of the State.’
