NREGS controversy: Opp. leader says RD should furnish ‘facts’

Dimapur, April 30 (EMN): Leader of Opposition in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly TR Zeliang has issued a statement to stem the issue of ‘abnormal fund allocation’ from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The former chief minister has stated that the department should furnish ‘facts and figures’ and put ‘all doubts and confusions’ to rest. The leader of opposition stated that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has given sufficient clarifications in regard to the MNREGS fund allocation by the Rural Development department. Zeliang felt that it should be the bounden duty of the department to come with clarification ‘if there was any shortcoming.’ He maintained that the NPF, as a responsible opposition party, will continue to shoulder its duty in the interest of citizens, inside or outside the legislative assembly. The former chief minister lamented that the ‘attempt to silence the opposition by roping in one’s own village, clan or family would be the greatest political evil’ the state has experienced till date. Zeliang stated that the conflict, in the present context, was not between two people, or between two clans or villages or nongovernmental organisation but between the department in concern and the MNREGS beneficiaries. He reminded that the department should furnish tge ‘facts and figures’ and put all doubts and confusions to rest. While admitting ‘human tendency to commit mistakes,’ Zeliang stated to have failed to recollect any actions taken against Lhoubeilatuo Kire ‘based on hatred or enmity some 20 years back.’ He has demanded to know what the kind of allegation levelled against Kire was when he was the Forest minister during 1998-2003 as reflected in the statement of the ‘Kire clan’ appended by one president Dr. Kikrukuolie Kire and the general secretary Vilavotuo Kire. The opposition leader stated that the nature of alleged action taken against the officer, who was a divisional forest officer (DFO) during that period of time, as stated in the statement, must be clearly spelled out ‘to avoid misperception and negative supposition.’ Zeliang clarified that he had never given any adverse remarks, be it in the ACR or in file noting. One thing though that Zeliang stated to remember was in regard to transfer and posting: on his personal request, L Kire was transferred from Peren to Dimapur with additional charge of Kohima division as DFO. Due to complaints from other officers that ‘one officer should not hold dual charge of two districts since the department has sufficient officers, he was relieved of Dimapur division and retained as DFO for Kohima.’ This was done following normal procedure without any adverse remark or allegation raised, the clarifications stated. Further stating that if L Kire had the impression that the move was an act ‘against’ him, Zeliang has asked the former to ‘come out with the kind of action or allegation that was initiated against him’ so that the matter can be clarified individually or openly as might require.