Dimapur, August 29 (MExN): The response to an RTI query has now shown that the Nagaland State Youth Resources & Sports Department (YRSD) has left five projects to the tune of Rs. 13,38,00,000/-(Rupees thirteen crore, thirty eight lakhs)—all released—either “unaccounted” for or are “nonexistent.”
The response also indicated that the YRSD, a department for development of sports infrastructure in the State, has spent an amount of Rs. 522,93,37,000/- (Five hundred twenty two crore, ninety three lakhs, thirty seven thousand) from 2009 till 2015 on 72 different projects/schemes in the State.
The RTI application had been filed by Aheto V. Yeputhomi, Hukavi T. Yeputhomi, Kitoho S. Rotokha, L Khevishe Achumi and S Zhevishe Sumi, all former presidents of the Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK).
They maintained in a press release today that until and unless “thorough analysis and probes” are initiated in the “random” selection and allocation of projects based on alleged “personal whims and fancies” of the authorities concerned and the policy implementations are “completely overhauled” in the YRSD, Nagaland State can “never ever produce eminent sports men and women even for centuries to come.”
Giving an instance, they noted, Dimapur district availed 24 different projects out of which 17 projects/schemes were allotted to Sovima village alone for an estimated amount of Rs. 91,08,37,000/-(Ninety one crore, eight lakhs, thirty seven thousand); whereas, district headquarters of Tuensang and Longleng got two projects each for Rs. 2.50 Crore each, Zunheboto two projects for Rs. 2.35 Crore, Wokha two projects for an estimated amount of Rs. 1.50 Crore and Kiphire got 1 project for Rs. 2.00 Crore (See table).
“These facts are the hard realities of the (un)judicious implementation of developmental projects implemented by the successive Government for the overall round development of the Sports infrastructure in the State,” stated the five leaders in their press release.
“Such policy implementation, purely for self aggrandizement in the name of development has marginalized Naga societies beyond repair and that equal distribution of developmental projects, wealth, opportunities and the failure to adhere the professed policy of all round development in the state without any discrimination has completely dejected the upcoming generations on their future and on any Government of the state,” the leaders asserted.
