Dimapur, March 21 (EMN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has called the allocation of Chief Minister’s Road Development Fund (CMRDF) “a sham exercise”.
A press release from the NPCC on Tuesday stated: “Deposed CM TR Zeliang owes an apology to the people of Nagaland. Blatant abuse of power has been exhibited starting with the beneficiaries of CMRDF mostly being the kith and kin of TR Zeliang himself, ministers and parliamentary secretaries.”
It pointed out that as per the notification issued by the state Planning and Coordination department, ‘the road board is constituted with CM as chairman to manage the CMRDF and proposals exceeding 50 lakh are not to be considered.’
However, it pointed out, for Peren district two proposals amounting to Rs 140 lakh for improvement of approach road to Saijang Rubber farm to Innovative Construction and another Rs 300 lakh for repair of hospital approach road at Jalukie town to M/s Hi-Tech Construction owned by TR Zeliang’s son were listed in the leaked document.
“Moreover, unequal distribution was evident with Peren district alone getting 3 projects amounting to Rs 490 lakh out of Rs 1250 lakh. This goes to show TR Zeliang at his manipulative best to siphon off public funds and blatant nepotism even when deposed from the CMs (sic) chair as a result of public uprising.
“It is most unfortunate that deposed chief minister TR Zeliang can readily stoop down to occupy the unconstitutional post of Advisor (Finance) to keep enjoying the spoils of power while Dr Shurhozelie seems to be content in abdicating his power and authority just to be in the chief minister’s chair,” it stated.
NPCC demanded that the ‘entire process of CMRDF allocation be cancelled and start afresh by giving equal distribution to all districts as per the laid down rules in transparent manner.’
It asked Dr Shurhozelie to issue a public statement as to whether he ‘endorses the dual power centre since his deafening silence will not wish away the misuse of CMs office which is already sullying his image as regional patriarch in nearly 5 decades of active politics.’
