DIMAPUR — The Public Health Engineering
Department (PHED), government of Nagaland, has constituted a Departmental
Enquiry Committee (DEC) to investigate certain allegations reported in local
newspapers regarding the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the
state.
According to a notification dated December 19, 2024, the
members of the committee are Zarenthung Ezung, commissioner and secretary,
Cooperation (chairman); Gwatilo Tep, mission director, SBM; Amenla Jamir,
additional director, Treasuries and Accounts; and Amentoli Anar, deputy
secretary, PHED.
The committee will ascertain the status of works implemented
in the projects in relation to adherence to DPRs and JJM guidelines from inception
to date; cross-check the status of reporting in the Integrated Management
Information System (IMIS) with actual implementation in the
villages/habitations; examine any complaints or grievances, and determine
whether appropriate actions have been taken to address them.
The committee shall identify any lapses or shortcomings in
the course of the implementation of JJM from inception to date and suggest
measures for further improvement. It shall submit its report within 45
(forty-five) days from the date of issue of the notification.
NTPRADAO claims moral victory, suspends JJM protests
The Nagaland Transparency Public Rights Advocacy and Direct
Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) has claimed a moral victory and welcomed the
setting up of the committee by the state government on the alleged JJM
"1,649.35 crore mega scam”.
It said in a press statement that the NTPRADAO (People's
Justice) applauded the state government under the direct signature and seal of
the state Chief Secretary J Alam and also appended by PHED Secretary Mhathung
Tungoe for officially setting up an enquiry committee on December 19, 2024.
Meanwhile, it said that the NTPRADAO (People's Justice) has
some "technical issues" to be sorted out, which it will address
formally with the chairperson of the committee soon.
Stating that it is the result of two months of consistent
effort that has finally culminated in bearing the fruits of its hard labour, it
thanked Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for taking a "pro-active public welfare
stance and giving the go-ahead” for an independent committee, which it hopes
will be transparent and justice-oriented.
It has suspended its public protest, mass agitation, and all
other related action plan strategies indefinitely, maintaining that it will
wait and watch until the 45-day time frame is over.
The NTPRADAO (People's Justice) cautioned the committee to
be very cautious and careful in thoroughly investigating the alleged JJM
corruption, as 22 lakh people of Nagaland, as well as central agencies, are
keenly watching its developments. It urged the committee to "maintain
neutrality, balance of perspective, and an unbiased nature/scope" in order
to get to the bottom of the alleged corruption and hold accountable those
involved in any corrupt practices.
The NTPRADAO (People's Justice), on its part, said it will
play the role of an "unrelenting watchdog" in monitoring the
functioning of the committee and will carefully analyse the report when
presented for closer examination, scrutiny, and any anomalies, if any, so that
a concrete, logical conclusion can be reached.
The organisation also urged the incumbent PHED chief engineer,
L Leyang Khiamnuingan, to maintain a completely impartial stance and not try to
shield any past or present PHED officials so that the duties of the committee
can be carried out smoothly.
