DIMAPUR, JULY 14 (MExN): A Right to Information (RTI) filed by citizens and public leaders on the utilization of funds for Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme sanctioned by the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) to Directorate of School Education (DOSE), Nagaland point to serious misappropriation of funds in tune of crores.
As per information provided by DOSE on the RTI queries, the MHRD had sanctioned a staggering amount of Rs 151,49,91,000/-(Rupees one hundred fifty one crore, forty nine lakh, ninety one thousand) to the DOSE for MDM scheme during 2010-16.
Out of the sanctioned amount, DOSE withdrew an amount of Rs. 148, 05, 32,000/- (Rupees one hundred forty eight crore, five lakh, thirty two thousand) from the Finance Department.
The remaining amount of Rs. 3, 44, 59,000/-(Rupees three crore, forty-four lakh, fifty nine thousand) is missing between FD and DOSE, informed RTI petitioners, Aheto V. Yeputhomi, Hukavi T. Yeputhomi, L Khevishe Achumi and S. Zhevihe Sumi in a press statement.
Out of the amount of Rs. 148, 05, 32,000/- drawn from FD, DOSE disbursed Rs. 76, 19, 17,836/-(Rupees seventy-six crore, nineteen lakh, seventeen thousand, eight hundred thirty six) to 26 different DEOs/SDEOs. From the disbursed Rs. 76, 19, 17,836/- an amount of Rs 1, 32, 00,000/-(Rupees one crore, thirty-two lakh) was drawn as honorarium for cooks. However, the RTI reply said no cooks were appointed between 2011-12.
The RTI petitioners have therefore questioned the whereabouts of the total missing amount of Rs 73, 98, 73, 164. The petitioners also appealed the Directorate of Vigilance Commission, Government of Nagaland to pursue all these gross mismanagement of crores of rupees without any reservation at the earliest.
