State government earmark Rs. 60 crore for Local Area Development Program popularly known as LADP. Under this program Rs. 1 crore is given to each and every MLA. This peoples’ based scheme is meant exclusively to develop and uplift the status of the people.
But in Nagaland, this fund is largely used by the MLAs as their own private property and money under this program were distributed like sweets. These funds mostly goes into the pockets of the political party leaders and workers. Funds were drawn without actually executing the works.
Deputy Commissioners records from 2013-2017 revealed that there are lots of work duplications. Without doing works existing VDB,PWD, Rural Development, Agriculture, Forest, Irrigation etc programs were clandestinely shown as LADP works and money drawn. Program of these natures were again and again shown. For instance, in 2013, again in 2014 and again in 2015. These records obviously signifies that a particular village would be filed with full of footsteps and fishery ponds (whether State Audit Department and A.G office are aware of these flagrant flaws). LADP records from 2013-2017 carries all the detailed information about beneficiaries, father’s names, amount allotted, locations etc. All programs of the MLAs are minutely maintained by the respective Deputy Commissioners. So interested person can get all requisite information or obtain the documents by filing R.T.I to the Deputy Commissioners.
This irregular system is only serving as a device to the public exchequers through dubious means. Hence, it is counter- productive.
Few months ago Nagaland Governor Shri. P.B Acharya had expressed his anguish over implementation and utilisation of funds under this program. Now, if he is really serious about the welfare and interest of the Naga people, it is a fit case for him to immediately order for setting up strong independent body and conduct proper physical verification and bring the guilty to task including the MLAs involved in the scandal.
Further, the State government must streamline its implementation with complete transparency and accountability or else disband the program forthwith as it is swallowing public funds without any meaningful result.
Zhalekho
Kohima
