It is to be brought for public consumption that I had published an article dated 22nd November 2016 in a local daily stating the anomalies for/while releasing funds under PMGSY. In the said publication, I had stated the norms/directives for releasing the funds as per the directives of the Government of India and of which is reproduced herein “The State Government must transfer these funds to Nagaland Rural Roads Development Agency (NGRRDA) within3 working days positively from the date of receipt of these funds. In case of non-transfer beyond the said period, Central Government may be constrained to stop further release. Besides, the State Government would be liable to pay interest @12% for the period of delay beyond the specified period.”
In the light of the aforesaid directives I wish to bring out some facts/instances for the last few years which effected the implementation and the end result of which was the loss of the General Naga Populace due to the inefficiency or the willful negligence of the State Government.
1. The allocation of funds by the centre to the different NE States for the past 2 financial years and current financial year i.e. 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-2018 is much higher compared to Nagaland. The allocation of funds by the centre to NE states for the past 2 financial years and current financial year are as follows:
It is therefore noted that Nagaland has been allocated with the lowest funds in comparison to the other NE states. In this regard, Shri.Neiba Kronu, Honorable MLA had made a statement in the local dailies of Nagaland dated 31st March 2017 where he had stated that the other States are getting enough funds for development and that the State of Nagaland need to perform better to avail more funds from the Central Government. The reason behind the allotment of funds by the Central Government may probably be due to the mode of utilization of funds by the State Government.
2. That in the Current financial year the centre has released the first instalment of its share of a sum of Rs. 8.7975 Crore out of the sanctioned amount of Rs. 18 crores, which the State Government is yet to release and for which the people of Nagaland is to lose an amount of Rs.9.2025 crores (Approx.) as the central Govt. would be unable to process the remaining funds as per the guidelines of the state Govt.
3. That it is further stated that the mode of releasing of payment by State Finance Department of Nagaland is too poor. It is to be stated that the Centre had sanctioned/released a sum of 58.65 Crores dated 28.08.2014 and of which, the state finance Department has released the amounts in three instalments. The First instalment of an amount of Rs.29.3350 Crores was released on 24-11-2014, second was released on dated 12-03-15 for an amount of Rs.7.3288 Crore and third instalment was released on dated 22-05-2015 for the remaining amount of Rs.21.9862 Crores. The State Government took a period of nine months for the release of the said fund which is contradictory and against the directives of the guidelines as issued by the Central Government where it was to be released in three 3 working days and not in 3 instalments. In the year 2015-16, the Central Government released an amount of Rs.4.00 Crores dated 24.04.2015 to the State Government out of the total amount of 17.60 Crores and for which the State Government took Ten (10) months. It is stated herein that due to the untimely release of first instalments an amount of Rs 13.60 Cr has been lapsed on dated 10-02-2016. Again, in the year 2016-17, the Central Government released an amount of Rs.8.05 Crores dated 2nd April 2016 out of total sanctioned amount of 42 Crores, wherein, the State Finance Department released the payment on dated 22-12-16 after a period of eight months and due to which an amount of Rs Rs.33.45 Crores (approx.) was lost to the Central Government.
4. The letter issued from the office of joint secretary MORD Rajesh Bhushan on 17th August 2016 to Shri. Kelei Zeliang, Secretary Public Works and Housing Department (NGRRDA) Govt. of Nagaland that due to non submission of Utilization certificate (UC) and relevant documents which has to be enclosed with the UC, the centre is unable to release the balance of 50% of the annual allocation to the state.
5. The above stated reasons for the inability of the centre to timely release the sanctioned funds to the state Government are due to the non-issuance of the Utilization Certificate by the State Government and timely release of funds in the form of payment as per the guidelines. In this regard it is a common knowledge that without the issuance of the Utilization Certificate by the State Government, the Second instalment of any Scheme is never sanctioned
6. In this regard it is pertinent to quote Shri.Y.Vikheho Swu, Honorable Minister for Road and Bridges, wherein he had stated as per the local dailies dated 25th November, 2016 that “PMGSY Projects of Phase VIII could not be completed due to the delay in the timely release of funds from the State Finance to the Department”.
Contractors/Entrepreneurs are discouraged for their growth and management to work in a good environment with truthfulness, honesty, efficiency in executing works for venturing into higher infrastructural works which are coming to the state for the ambitious plan of the Govt. of India i.e. Look East policy, smart cities etc.
Now, it is for the public to judge the negative activities of the govt. of Nagaland in mismanagement of funds from the centrally sponsored schemes and hindering development activities against public interest and welfare because of wrong governance and inefficiency in running the activities in a small state like Nagaland for which who should be accountable. Awareness should be brought in the public interest.
Thepfusatuo
PWD Colony, Kohima.
