Kohima, November 24 (MTNews): Refuting former Member of Parliament K. Asungba Sangtam’s claim on “Northeast Tonight with Wasbir Hussain” earlier this year in October that a package of Rs 300 crore was given to Nagaland some years back, the Planning & Coordination Department, Government of Nagaland has clarified that the allegation of misappropriation of the said funds is without any basis.
Sangtam had claimed that some years back, “a package of 300 crore was given to Nagaland. People did not know and money was given to the State Government. Nobody knows today where that package has gone. All along from the beginning till today this misuse is going on.”
He said this to the News Channel Northeast Live program “Northeast Tonight with Wasbir Hussain” in the debate on ENPO’s demand for Eastern Nagaland.
According to the Planning & Coordination department, the facts in this regard has been checked and that, as per the available documents, it was recorded during the discussions on the Annual Plan for 2012-13 held on June 26, 2012 between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and Chief Minister of Nagaland where the former agreed to provide Special Plan Assistance (SPA)/ Special Central Assistance (SCA) of Rs. 1,268 crore.
“In addition, it was agreed to provide Special Plan Assistance Package for Eastern Nagaland Region of Rs. 300 crore subject to availability of additional resources from Ministry of Finance,” the department of Planning & Coordination said, adding that the said assistance was to be utilized for identified projects to be approved by Planning Commission.
“The details are noted in the approval of the Annual Plan 2012-13 conveyed by Planning Commission vide No. 4/18/2011-FR dated 18.06.2012,” the department stated and informed that the State Government had, therefore, submitted proposals for Rs. 333.33 crore to Planning Commission for approval.
However, according to the Planning & Coordination Department, the Commission had conveyed that “under Addl. Central Resources (SPA) for Eastern Nagaland Region, Gol has not approved/released the whole amount of Rs. 300.00 cr.”
This, according to the Planning & Coordination Department, was communicated to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland vide letter No. M.13048/19(NL)/2011/SP-NE dated 16/5/2013 (Paragraph 1(d)).
“Government of India, therefore, did not approve the proposals for Rs. 333.33 crore for Eastern Nagaland region and no fund was released to the State Government. The allegation of misutilization of the said funds is therefore without any basis,” the Planning & Coordination Department claimed.