Mokokchung, 2 November (MTNews): The Public Grievances Department of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (PGD NPCC) has exposed a severe case of financial mismanagement in the Alongtaki Assembly Constituency. A Right to Information (RTI) report has shed light on the misuse of funds allocated in various departments.
Longchem-Saring road: More than Rs 43 lakhs withdrawn, work not initiated
The PGD NPCC has disclosed that according to the RTI report, the work order for the upgradation of the Longchem-Saring road and the bridge construction was issued to M/s Win Enterprise on December 22, 2022. The tender amount was a staggering Rs. 1,45,66,329. However, the RTI report revealed that 30% of the allocated funds, approximately amounting to Rs. 43,69,898, have been withdrawn without any progress on the ground.
The road condition is deplorable and is almost non-pliable, the PGD stated. The dire consequences of this inaction were underscored by a tragic incident in 2022 when a patient lost their life en route to the hospital due to the poor road conditions.
According to the PGD, the vehicle was stuck for hours and the patient was not able to access the hospital on time. It was only on 1st Nov 2023 where a concerned citizen of Longchem provided his JCB along with Rs 20,000 to patch up certain locations where it was non-pliable.
The PGD, NPCC in this regard, prompted the contractor to deliver good road facility which the citizens rightfully deserve without further delay.
Ambulance funds vanish
According to the PGD, the RTI report also revealed that an amount of Rs 25 lakhs was approved by the SDPDB for purchasing two ambulances under the LADP (COVID-19) scheme for the year 2020-2021 in the 30 Alongtaki Assembly Constituency.
The RTI report indicates that the project’s status is marked as “completed,” despite the absence of any new ambulances. Currently, only one Gypsy is being utilized as an ambulance. The PGD NPCC called upon the concerned authorities to prioritize the health of the citizens and take necessary actions promptly.
Missing Multi-Purpose Hall
Additionally, another RTI report revealed the completion status of Phase-I of the Multi-Purpose Hall construction, which was funded under the LADP Iconic Scheme for the year 2019-2020 in the 30 Alongtaki AC. According to the PGD, the amount of Rs 50 lakhs was approved by SDPDB, but to date, the building does not exist.
The PGD NPCC has raised questions about the utilization of the fund allocated for Phase-I and called upon all conscientious citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) to scrutinize such fraudulent activities.
GHS Lakhuni building project under scrutiny
According to the PGD, an amount of one crore rupees, allocated in two phases (50 lakhs in 2019-2020 approved by SDPDB and another 50 lakhs in 2020-2021 approved by DPDB), was intended for the construction of the GHS Building at Lakhuni under Alongtaki AC. This funding was provided under the LADP Iconic Scheme. However, the RTI report has revealed that the verification committee members have already issued completion certificates, despite the school building being in a deplorable condition. The building lacks proper classrooms, and due to the poor infrastructure, students are unable to attend classes during the rainy season because most of the classrooms have no roof.
“The school building is still under construction to this day,” the PGD NPCC stated.
The PGD NPCC has cautioned the Verification Committee for issuing completion certificates when the work progress is only in its initial stages. It demanded that the concerned authorities prioritize this issue and complete the work as soon as possible. The PGD also urged the verification committee to refrain from issuing completion certificates without proper verification and investigation.
Furthermore, the PGD NPCC called on the elected member of Alongtaki AC and the Administration/Verification team to provide a clear justification regarding the allocation of developmental funds at the earliest.