The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has termed the alleged “fraud” of Rs. 18 Crore in the Nagaland Police department as “serious” and one that deserves ‘action.’ In fact it was found that just recently in April, the Union Home Ministry had ordered a halt to all funding to Nagaland state police under the “modernization of police fund” (MPF) scheme after the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) detected “fraud” of a colossal Rs. 18 Crore.
On September 15 this year, the opposition Congress had walked out of Nagaland Legislative Assembly in a widely publicized protest. The opposition bench resented the assembly’s rejection of their demand to discuss on the “fraudulent withdrawal” of Rs. 18 Crore as detected by the CAG. The CAG report was tabled on the last day of the March budget session of the State Assembly.
‘Centre stopped funds after fraud of colossal Rs 18 cr’ Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry’s North East division Shambhu Singh said the Union Home Ministry is not unaware of the latest ‘happening,’ the alleged fraud, in the police department and the way funds are being utilized especially under the ambitious MPF scheme. The Home Ministry official interacted with The Morung Express November 5.
When queried whether the Home Ministry actually stopped funds to Nagaland police – following the ‘fraud’ – the Centre’s official responded in the affirmative and confirmed it as true. ‘It is definitely serious,’ Singh said.
‘The MPF (for Nagaland police) was then held up. The Centre did not release any funds in response,’ Singh told this daily. In fact, the official disclosed that the Ministry withheld the funds much “earlier” on as the Union Home Ministry wanted answers from the state government of Nagaland. The state government also took time to respond, the official explained.
“We received clarification from the state government later; our response was that the money should be located and if misused the state government should take action,” the Joint Secretary said when asked what the Ministry told the Nagaland government.
Asked what the ministry thought the Rs. 18 Crore “money” had gone to, the official said “the money has been located” already. “The money is located now,” he said. Singh refused to elaborate how or from where the money was ‘located’ if the CAG itself had detected it and specified the ‘fraud’ in its report.
The official implied strongly that the Home Ministry can only initiate administrative actions such as withholding funds by procedure. It is understood that by procedure, the state government is to recommend action and disciplinary proceedings.
When queried for his observation on the financial performance of Nagaland Police, the Home Ministry’s Joint Secretary simply said “it is complicated.” He refused to offer any further detail. On September 15 this year, the opposition Congress led by Congress Legislature Party Tokheho Yepthomi had demanded investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation under Article 163 of the constitution.
Adding to the embarrassment, the national media including The Times of India and IndiaReport have highlighted the ‘fraud.’
On September 15 this year, the opposition Congress had walked out of Nagaland Legislative Assembly in a widely publicized protest. The opposition bench resented the assembly’s rejection of their demand to discuss on the “fraudulent withdrawal” of Rs. 18 Crore as detected by the CAG. The CAG report was tabled on the last day of the March budget session of the State Assembly.
‘Centre stopped funds after fraud of colossal Rs 18 cr’ Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry’s North East division Shambhu Singh said the Union Home Ministry is not unaware of the latest ‘happening,’ the alleged fraud, in the police department and the way funds are being utilized especially under the ambitious MPF scheme. The Home Ministry official interacted with The Morung Express November 5.
When queried whether the Home Ministry actually stopped funds to Nagaland police – following the ‘fraud’ – the Centre’s official responded in the affirmative and confirmed it as true. ‘It is definitely serious,’ Singh said.
‘The MPF (for Nagaland police) was then held up. The Centre did not release any funds in response,’ Singh told this daily. In fact, the official disclosed that the Ministry withheld the funds much “earlier” on as the Union Home Ministry wanted answers from the state government of Nagaland. The state government also took time to respond, the official explained.
“We received clarification from the state government later; our response was that the money should be located and if misused the state government should take action,” the Joint Secretary said when asked what the Ministry told the Nagaland government.
Asked what the ministry thought the Rs. 18 Crore “money” had gone to, the official said “the money has been located” already. “The money is located now,” he said. Singh refused to elaborate how or from where the money was ‘located’ if the CAG itself had detected it and specified the ‘fraud’ in its report.
The official implied strongly that the Home Ministry can only initiate administrative actions such as withholding funds by procedure. It is understood that by procedure, the state government is to recommend action and disciplinary proceedings.
When queried for his observation on the financial performance of Nagaland Police, the Home Ministry’s Joint Secretary simply said “it is complicated.” He refused to offer any further detail. On September 15 this year, the opposition Congress led by Congress Legislature Party Tokheho Yepthomi had demanded investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation under Article 163 of the constitution.
Adding to the embarrassment, the national media including The Times of India and IndiaReport have highlighted the ‘fraud.’
