Kohima |March 24 : Allegations of corruption, misuse of funds and lack of improvement in activities and functioning within the School Education department rocked today’s Budget Session with the Opposition trying to corner School Education Minister Nyeiwang Konyak and demanding his resignation. The issue became a heated argument when MLA Joshua Sumi initiated a short discussion regarding to misuse and mismanagement of grant-in-aid funds to the private schools for infrastructure development under the department.
Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi and MLA Kheto Kinimi launched a verbal attack on the Education Minister, accusing him of misuse of Rs.51 lakhs, forcing the Minister to finally apologize for “over generously” granting funds and assured to rectify any errors.
Coming to the defense of his Minister, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio assured that the government is in the process of streamlining the department, pointing out that being one of the biggest departments, School Education department is plagued by numerous problems including more than 200 court cases besides the bogus and ghost employees. He also informed that the department has already terminated 84 employees while it is in process of terminating another 336 which totals to 420.
Assuring that the government will streamline the department, he said the government is very serious and committed and that the state level education committee will find out lapses if any.
Not content with the reply of the Minister, the Opposition Leader and MLA Kheto continued their attack on the School Education Minister and a heated exchange followed, forcing Dr. Shurhozelie to raise a Point of Order and Speaker Kiyanilie to expunge some statements that he considered “unparliamentarily”.
It was only at the intervention of the Chief Minister that the House was restored to order. Seeking to restore order, the Chief Minister explained the difficulties faced by the School Education department and assured that the government would make all possible efforts to streamline the department and its activities. He also assured that those found guilty of irregularities and corruption would booked and be awarded befitting punishment.
Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi and MLA Kheto Kinimi launched a verbal attack on the Education Minister, accusing him of misuse of Rs.51 lakhs, forcing the Minister to finally apologize for “over generously” granting funds and assured to rectify any errors.
Coming to the defense of his Minister, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio assured that the government is in the process of streamlining the department, pointing out that being one of the biggest departments, School Education department is plagued by numerous problems including more than 200 court cases besides the bogus and ghost employees. He also informed that the department has already terminated 84 employees while it is in process of terminating another 336 which totals to 420.
Assuring that the government will streamline the department, he said the government is very serious and committed and that the state level education committee will find out lapses if any.
Not content with the reply of the Minister, the Opposition Leader and MLA Kheto continued their attack on the School Education Minister and a heated exchange followed, forcing Dr. Shurhozelie to raise a Point of Order and Speaker Kiyanilie to expunge some statements that he considered “unparliamentarily”.
It was only at the intervention of the Chief Minister that the House was restored to order. Seeking to restore order, the Chief Minister explained the difficulties faced by the School Education department and assured that the government would make all possible efforts to streamline the department and its activities. He also assured that those found guilty of irregularities and corruption would booked and be awarded befitting punishment.
