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DIMAPUR — Advisor for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Zhaleo Rio has warned that members of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) who misuse funds provided by the state government will be made to refund it.
According to Zhaleo, he was in receipt of reports of some of the ULB leaders—“some chairpersons and deputy chairpersons”—buying vehicles with the one-time grant provided by Nagaland government for setting up of ULB offices, buying furniture and other office essentials.
Speaking at the flag-off event for distribution of sanitation vehicles to ULBs, at Chümoukedima public ground on Wednesday, the legislator said: “I am going to make those officers/councilors refund the money which has been used against the guidelines or advisory.”
He warned the ULB members that if they are caught misusing power or money, the department will summon them to the head office. He also warned that those caught misusing funds won’t get their next grant.
Conversely, Zhaleo appreciated the East Dimapur Town Council for their demolition drive against illegal encroachment under its jurisdiction.
Stating that he hears complaints from the councillors every day, Zhaleo advised them to ‘stop quarrelling and start functioning’ in the best interest of the citizens.
On the occasion, seven Mahindra Bolero pick-up trucks, six Piaggio Ape BSVI Garbage Tippers, and four ‘Electric Vehicle Garbage Collection Fleet’ (e-rickshaw with 700 kg capacity) were distributed to the ULBs.
Zhaleo pointed out that sanitation continues to be one of the most complicated issues for the people of Nagaland. “Our way of living and cleanliness culture do not fit into the present day civilisation,” he said.
The legislator urged every citizen to practice good hygiene and cleanliness. He informed that the vehicle distribution was under the 15th Finance Commission (FC) grant.
He also encouraged the ULBs to generate revenue.
Flyovers need of the hour
Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, Zhaleo told media persons that they are in talks to build more flyovers in Dimapur, calling them the need of the hour. “We are exploring how to bring funds and we are also discussing with the chief minister of Nagaland,” he said.
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On the problems of potholes in Dimapur, he said that they have started repair works from Clock Tower towards the DC office, currently halted due to rainfall. He said that it will be resumed again.
Zhaleo clarified that the whole stretch from Dillai Gate to Dhobinala is not under Urban Department but it is a National Highway. He informed that the flyover near Hotel Tragopan also comes under National Highway.
Fiscal transparency
Kekhrievor Kevichusa, the commissioner and secretary of Municipal Affairs Department, cautioned all ULBs that it will be difficult to ‘source funds’ if accounts are not audited. “We are taking steps to audit the account, but the problem we are facing is that expenditures statements are not available with bills,” he shared.
The officer reminded the ULB members that every expenditure must be accompanied by bills, otherwise they are unable to get a new source of funding from the Centre. He said that for the 15th FC, they have managed to convince the Union Ministry to allow them to audit only 25% of the ULBs, but next time they will insist on 100%.
He informed that next month, the 16th Finance Commission members will be visiting the state, and the department officers will try to convince them that all the funding proposals should be made available to the ULBs.
“The department has proposed a lot of funding proposals to the 16th FC, please be aware that one of the main conditions is the transparency in financial transactions, so their financial record has to be open for auditing,” he reiterated.
Also, he informed that they have not provided vehicles for all the ULBs this time because this is only a pilot programme.