NSVDBA appeals to release IAY, BRGF

EMN Dimapur, February 14 Nagaland State VDBs’ Association (NSVDBA) has appeal to the State Chief Minister to release the Indra Awas Yojina (IAY) 2015-2016 and the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) 2014-2015, which were meant for the development of poor villages at the earliest, adding villages cannot be deprived of their legitimate shares. With no positive response despite repeated appeals, the Association alleged that the indifferent attitude on the part of the competent authority in depriving the wellbeing of the poor villages showed the least concern of the government. In a joint statement, the Association president, Tohoshe Awomi, and the general secretary, Manthungo Kikon, have appealed to the competent authority to release the funds to enable the villagers proceed with various earmarked developmental projects without any delay. It also appealed for immediate release of National Social Assistance Programs (NSAP) 2015-2016 such as IGOPS, IGNWPS, NFBS etc under the department of Social Security & Welfare, to the beneficiaries by March 2016. The Association also suggested to enable eligible beneficiaries avail the schemes without any problem from the Child Development Project Officers, who are well assisted by field staff for the successful implementation of the schemes. Meanwhile, the Association appreciated the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, for the declaration made on February 1, 2016, during the 10th anniversary of MGNREGA, where the Ministry would implement Direct Benefit Transfer to the beneficiaries of MGNREGA job card holders from April 2016. In this connection, the Association requested the State government to open nationalised bank branches in 72 Rural Development blocks of the State for successful implementation of the programme as there are no such facilities in the entire state except for a few blocks. The Association, during its office bearers’ meeting on February 9 at Mezo Basa village under Kohima district, discussed the above mentioned issues and decided to pursue the matter till the aforesaid issues are addressed accordingly.