Dimapur Congress gives Agriculture department 10 days to disclose pending procurement records and ensure transparency.
DIMAPUR — The Dimapur District Congress Committee (DCC) has given the Directorate of Agriculture 10 days, ending October 23 to furnish outstanding documents related to the procurement and supply of agricultural machinery, seeds and other agricultural inputs, alleging a lack of transparency despite directions from the first appellate authority.
In a press statement, the DCC strongly condemned the department for failing to satisfactorily provide the required documents despite an order issued by the first appellate authority on September 2. It demanded full disclosure of procurement records and an independent examination of the transactions in question.
The DCC said the department had furnished several supply orders, invoices and payment records but had failed to provide essential documents, including tender notices, competitive quotations, comparative statements, purchase committee proceedings, stock registers, quality inspection reports and beneficiary distribution records.
The committee said the incomplete disclosure raised serious questions about procurement transparency, supplier selection, equipment pricing and the actual distribution of materials intended for farmers.
Also read: NYM seeks Nagaland governor’s resignation over cancelled meeting
GPRN/NSCN (U) questions Nagaland Forest department over land rights, wildlife issues
It sought clarification on the basis for selecting suppliers, whether agricultural machinery and inputs were purchased at reasonable prices, and whether the materials reached the intended beneficiaries.
It maintained that invoices and payment records alone could not establish the receipt and distribution of supplies without proper stock verification and beneficiary acknowledgements.
The DCC also demanded disclosure of the applicable procurement rules, approvals, financial sanctions and quality certification records.
It called for the reconciliation and disclosure of all relevant procurement sanctions, invoices, GST records, payments and utilisation records.
The committee urged the Director of Agriculture to explain the failure to provide the outstanding information and called on the Agriculture Advisor to ensure accountability and order an independent examination of the procurement transactions.
In addition to the disclosure of documents, the DCC demanded independent verification of procurement procedures, supplier selection, equipment prices, stock records and beneficiary distribution.
Warning of further action in the event of non-compliance, the committee said it would launch sustained peaceful democratic protests, seek lawful sealing and independent stock verification of the Agriculture department's storehouse in Dimapur through the competent authorities, and initiate appropriate proceedings before the State Information Commission and other competent forums.
The DCC said the issue concerned public accountability and the proper use of taxpayers' money, adding that the welfare of farmers could not be used to justify a lack of transparency.
It stated that it would continue pursuing the matter until the outstanding information was disclosed and the concerns raised were independently examined.