Vested interests, graft & undergrounds told to keep hands off Medziphema devp

Depts. warned against fund diversion

EMN
Dimapur, April 22

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]ven as Medziphema sub division, under Dimapur district, readies for a major developmental haul, vested interests in the form of some civil and underground groups are already pushing their fingers into the pie.
On Wednesday, the Medziphema Village Council and its frontal youth group issued a statement quietly warning against any attempt by any individual, groups, or departments against exploiting developmental workers for selfish gain.The village council and youth issued a statement on Wednesday concerning what it stated was a set of ‘upcoming Infrastructural development works at Medziphema town though the department of Urban Development.
The statement was aimed particularly at ‘stakeholders of Medziphema’, the departments in concern, political party workers, the implementing agencies, and the underground groups and their members.
The leaderships of the village council of Medziphema, the Gaon Bura, and Medziphema Village Youth Organization met on April 20 to discuss the matter, the organziations stated in the statement.
The community leaderships and members deliberated on various issued associated with development of the sub division and the upcoming infrastructural works that would be undertaken for the community. In this regard, the community undertook a number of resolutions in the interest of the people of Medziphema area and 5 Ghaspani II assembly constituency in general.
The community took strong note that some individuals and groups had begun to create ‘unnecessary problems and troubles’ even before work had begun.
“Of late, it has come to our knowledge that some individuals or group of individuals, party functionaries, nongovernmental organizations etc are trying to create unnecessary problems and troubles even before work orders are issued for the same,” the press release stated.
“No individual or group of individuals, or national workers shall be allowed to obstruct the developmental processes at Medziphema town under the upcoming infrastructural development works programme,” one of the resolutions stated in clear terms.
The community stated that the identities of the vested groups and individuals are ‘known’ and they will be held accountable with befitting action accordingly.
“This is to warn all those concerned that we are aware of their identities and that should any adverse situation arise due to their selfish and nefarious interests and activities, they shall be held solely responsible and accountable and that befitting actions shall be exacted from them accordingly,” the press statement said.
“We are prepared to act, if necessary, as responsibly as land owners ought to for the welfare and development of our land and its people”.
Govt warned against diverting funds again
The community also had a word for the departments and developmental agencies. Developmental funds – if at all released–are often diverted by the government departments and policymakers in Nagaland for reasons best know to them. Obviously, the Medziphema community is aware of that practice and has cautioned the departments against any more to use the funds for cause other than for what it was originally sanctioned.
“While appreciating the Urban Development department under the leadership of the present Democratic Alliance of Nagaland Government for the proposed infrastructural development works at Medziphema town, we have resolved not to tolerate any misuse or diversion of funds for the said works and that quality workmanship shall not be compromised under any circumstances,” the statement said.
The statement explained: “Whereas, Medziphema village had given the best part of our land for the establishment of Medziphema township and that therefore, being the land owner of Medziphema, with utmost concern for the welfare and development of Medziphema town, this present is made in good faith that all concerned stakeholders, government departments and agencies, implementing agency (ies) shall cooperate and work together as per the works programme of the department for the betterment and upliftment of Medziphema town, the heartthrob of 5 Ghaspani II assembly constituency”.
The statement was appended by chairman of Medziphema Village Council Neikhonyu Kuotsu, Gaon Bura of Medzhiphema village Sier Kuotsu, and secretary of the council Khriengulie Kapo.