Rs 99.83 crore for RMSA during 2016-17 and 2017-18: NPRAAF

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 9 (MExN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has now cast scrutiny on fund allocation and utilization pertaining to the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) in Nagaland State, informing that Rs 99.83 Crore was released under the scheme for the years 2016-17 and 2017-18.  

A press note from the NPRAAF informed that the State Finance Department, Budget & Monitoring Cell released a total amount of Rs 99.83 Crore under RMSA during 2016-17 and 2017-18 under demand number 31 – School Education. Out of this, Rs 67.83 crore was released for 2016-17 and Rs 32 crore was released for 2017-18.  

For the year 2016-17, the FD released Rs 67.83 crore on four occasions—Rs 278.84 lakh (6 March 2017), Rs 3994.82 lakh (16 June 2016), Rs 1426.41 lakh (14 September 2016) and Rs 1083.17 lakh (19 December 2016).  

For the year 2017-18, the FD released Rs 32 crore on five occasions—Rs 303.58 lakh (26 April 2017), Rs 591.82 lakh (14 June 2017), Rs 687.10 lakh (20 June 2017), Rs 1541.71 lakh (2 August 2017) and Rs 76.34 lakh (3 August 2017).  

Out of the total amount, Drawal Authorities (DAs) dated April 26, 2017 and June 20, 2017, amounting to Rs 9.90 crore, had specifically mentioned as for payment of salaries. DAs dated March 6, 2017; June 14, 2017 and August 3, 2017 amounting to Rs 9.47 crore have been indicated as 10% state share.  

“Other than these DAs, nothing has been indicated against what activities/works the rest of the releases were made giving rise to doubtful payments,” the NPRAAF stated.  

“When the State has released such enormous amount under RMSA to the School Education Department, why is the Department still withholding the legitimate salaries of the teachers denying them genuine them rights?” the NPRAAF questioned.  

It further asked why are the teachers being made to go through tortuous times approaching the authorities repeatedly to get what is duly theirs? That the teachers have to resort to ultimatums as an option to “let the authorities hear the grumbling sounds in their empty stomach is most unfortunate,” it viewed.  

Terming the withholding of salaries as “highly questionable,” the forum urged that the School Education Department “must without any delay disburse the salaries and explain the reasons for such delay.”  

It meanwhile expressed support to the NRMSATA-16 teachers on the issue of their pending salaries.