Dimapur, Sep. 21 (EMN): The Finance Department on Thursday made a counter rejoinder to the earlier allegations of the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum on the release of funds under the Planning and Coordination department, particularly the funds under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution.
The department stated that the process of issue of drawal authorities is for the sole purpose of placing the funds at the disposal of the concerned department for implementation of the programme. Therefore it is not deemed necessary for them to capture all details of the schemes in long as it is understood from which source the fund is allocated. Detailed information of the funds can be ascertained from the department concerned.
It also added that the "details of the works" are always furnished by the department at the time of submitting bills to the Treasury and AG’s office for payments.
The finance department also stated that it released the funds based on sanctions from the concerned ministry cannot be held responsible for anomalies if any.
"The department stands by its earlier clarification that releases of the funds were based on sanctions from the concerned Ministry, copies of which are available in the department and interested parties can obtain the same, if so required, through laid down procedures of the Government. Finance Department cannot be held at fault for not providing non-existent facts for the satisfaction of those who have misconceptions, nor revise or customize established procedures for the satisfaction of NGOs," it stated.
The department stated that the clarifications were being "made again to dispel all doubts to the extent possible and in deference to the concerns raised" and so that the "issue of double drawal" will be put to rest.
It further added that the Finance Department will not be issuing "further clarifications" in this matter in the public domain.
