CNSA questions the sincerity of HPCL, Nagaland Govt for revival of NPPCL
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 11 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA) on Sunday questioned the sincerity of the Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and the Nagaland State Government in reviving the Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Limited (NPPCL) in Tuli, which is the only heavy industry in Nagaland.
A press statement received from CNSA president Charles Lotha and general secretary Yimlanger Jamir, expressed concern at the snail-paced revival works of the NPPCL Tuli, the funds for which was sanctioned by the Government of India. The NPCCL is an undertaking the Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Government of Nagaland.
While pointing out that the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India had sanctioned 100 crore as first installment in 2013, the Association questioned the HPCL as to why “only 34 crore could be utilized out of the 100 crore in three years (2013-2016),” as was the response from NPPCL to an RTI application filed by the CNSA. Also viewing seriously the alleged diversion of the 60 crores by the HPCL, the Association has demanded the Corporation declare where the said amount have been utilized.
It went on to caution that if the diverted amount of 60 crore by HPCL has not been utilized for the revival of the NPPCL, Tuli; then CNSA will initiate its own course of action, to the extent of approaching the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India.
The Association further expressed dissatisfaction over the response to its RTI application seeking the names of the ‘companies contracted for the revival of the NPPC- Tuli’. The RTI response sought ‘exemption under Sec. 8 (1) (d) & (g) of RTI Act 2005.’
“The NPPCL is a government project and it is the only heavy industry in Nagaland.
Therefore, if the HPCL thinks that the queries by the CNSA are not in the “larger public interest that warrants the disclosure of such information, then the CNSA strongly feels that the HPC Ltd is not serious about the revival of the NPPCL – Tuli,” the Association maintained.
In this, the Association wondered whether there is some “hidden agenda or dirty politics being played to deliberately stall the much-awaited revival of NPPCL – Tuli” adding, “Three years have already elapsed since the Government of India declared and sanctioned finances for the revival work, but so far, the works at the ground is negligible and very unsatisfactory.”
It said NPPCL revival work should be done in a very transparent and sincere manner since it involves many stakeholders, the greatest being the Naga people, who are eagerly waiting for its revival.
The CNSA also questioned the Nagaland State Government over its sincerity towards the revival of the NPPCL. The Department of Industries and Commerce had replied to the RTI application filed by CNSA that the “state government has instructed different departments to undertake different works like power supply, dam, roads etc.” However, the state government could not provide the “hard copy of the project report, the amount sanctioned and the progress report of the projects entrusted to the different departments” for the revival of the NPPCL – Tuli by the Government of Nagaland, it stated.
It has therefore demanded that the state government disclose to the public about the project reports and progress at the earliest possible time. The CNSA said it is every ready to file Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or approach the Union Ministry, Government of India, unless and until the concerned authorities show sincerity in their works towards the speedy revival of the NPPCL – Tuli. Related Story...
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