DIMAPUR, JUNE 16 (MExN): The Nagaland Transparency' Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) has said that the clarification issued by the Rural Development Department with regard to the former’s allegations of financial corruption has “many loopholes legally.”
The RD Director had informed that out of the Rs 74,73,07,700 meant for 'Housing For All' scheme, Rs 57,33,11,700 was received against the target for Financial Year (FY) 2016-17. A press release from the NTPRADAO questioned what happened to the beneficiaries of FY 2017-18 and 2018-19.
It further rejected the department’s contention that housing materials were provided to the beneficiaries through the vendors to construct PMAY-G houses for FY 2016-17. From the list provided-by RD, the NTPRADAO informed that it randomly contacted more than hundreds of beneficiaries covering 11 districts.
It claimed that those beneficiaries are “exposing the fact that they have not got any building materials from RD. The NTPRADAO said that “even if the beneficiaries are caught telling lies and giving misleading reports, they will face serious legal implications.”
It further stated that the RD Department is 4 years late in implementing all the Centrally Sponsored Schemes/ National Flagship Programmes “since the RD Director has attested that the balance unspent Rs 17,39,96,000 for FY 2019-20 has started being implemented just recently, after the issue of financial mis-appropriation and scam came into light.”
The NTPRADAO said that “many departments in Nagaland, even ask for additional funds within a (FY) after spending all that GoI sends.”
The NTPRADAO further stated that the problem is not at all with the PFMs / SNA, but how the PMAY-G actually was implemented at the grassroots level and whether it adheres according to the guidelines or not.
Meanwhile, it further claimed that the current RD Director, being the then ex PD Phek, “too is liable to be legally prosecuted for lapses in the implementation of PMAY-G under Phek District, wherein many listed beneficiaries from Phek are saying that they had not received the building materials.”
The NTPRADAO meanwhile said that at the end of its 15 days ultimatum, the organization will be compelled to take a variety of approach including legal route. It further stated that the RD Minister along with the former RD Directors also will all be answerable.
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