DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 12 (MExN): The ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) has responded to the allegation of misuse of rural electrification fund of Rs. 237 crore, made by Sonia Gandhi, in her election speech at Dimapur on 7th February 2013. A press note from the NPF Media Press & Media Bureau has clarified on the various schemes undertaken through the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyaktikaran Yojana (RGGVY), Nagaland.
The press note has stated that electrification of 105 un-electrified villages, whereby works in 84 villages have been completed, which is 80% completion. Further it stated that augmentation of distribution system in 1170 already electrified villages, whereby works in 1060 villages (about 90%) have been completed.
It pointed out that construction of new/augmentation of 22 numbers of 33/11/KV sub-stations whereby 16 sub-stations (about 73%) have been completed. Also under the scheme it has provided connections to 69,900 BPL households, whereby 36,062 households (about 52%) have been provided connections.
The NPF went on to state that there is a three-tier monitoring mechanism in place for the implementation of this RGGVY scheme, involving the power Department of Nagaland, Rural Electrification Corporation of India (REC) and the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
“The inspectors appointed by the MOP/REC are regularly carrying out inspections of the above works in Nagaland, and they have found the progress satisfactory till date. The works are there on the ground for everyone to see”, the NPF press note explained.
As such it stated that the allegations made by Sonia Gandhi that “there was no visible work on the ground, except a few rusted poles and burnt out wires”, is totally wrong. “Her statement once again exposes her lack of knowledge on the ground situations in Nagaland or perhaps she is misguided by Congress leaders of Nagaland”, the NPF stated while adding that it was “shocking that a person to the stature of Sonia Gandhi is talking about electric poles in Nagaland with false facts and figures of projects and is involved in the Congress disease of firing allegations without any justifications”.
