Dimapur, Oct. 28 (EMN): Five citizens have taken the government of Nagaland to court over what they have alleged as the latter’s failure to complete the proposed construction of a High Court building at Meriema, in Kohima district – launched in 2007 – despite sharp escalation in the project’s financial pattern in the years that have followed.
On Saturday, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (Acaut) issued a press statement informing Kito Achumi, Odi Jamir, Langwang Konyak, Kevito I Sumi and ST Yapang Jamir – all citizens of Nagaland – have filed a petition against the state government for said allegation.
“According to the petition, the initial cost of the new high court building and complex at Meriema, Kohima, was Rs. 43.75 cr., with the foundation stone laid in 2007 along with Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya states. While these other states have completed the construction of their HC buildings, and up and working since 2013, the construction cost of the project was revised – as is with all Nagaland government projects which is basically to loot the exchequer.
“Thus, by 2017, the estimated cost of the project had been raised to Rs. 161.10 cr. Shockingly, the department in its rejoinder to Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) claimed that it has already received Rs. 57.61 cr. and yet, even after 10 years, the project is only 35% complete.
“To add to the shame and sham, a shocker of an amount, Rs. 22.42 cr., had been drawn against construction of Judges’ bungalow. However, according to the petition, ‘there is not even an area earmarked for Judges Bungalow at present.’ Further a handsome amount of Rs. 44. 24 lakh was drawn for electrification and water supply works against the non-existent building. To add to the farce of this whole project, an amount of Rs. 1.30 cr. was paid as ‘consultancy fees’ against Judges’ bungalow,” the Acaut statement read.
The Acaut lauded those five citizens who have filed the case against the state government. “ACAUT Nagaland only hopes that more such lawyers and conscientious citizens would come forward take up the fight against corruption in action.
“...the state government has much explaining to do before the court whether crore of rupees meant for the construction of the HC building was mis-utilized or not,” it stated.
