Discloses another case of Double DA
In what appears to be the latest modus operandi for release of funds under the new phenomenon called ‘Double Drawal Authority’ (DDA), the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has once again exposed the Finance department (FD) for allegedly issuing Drawal Authority (DA) in releasing funds for construction of RCC bridge across Tizu river in Mini-Laluri Link road” under Geology & Mining (G&M) department.
This is not the first time that several organisations have exposed how the FD has issued DA twice for the same project thereby creating the new phenomenon called Double Drawal Authority (DDA).
Interestingly, NPRAAF pointed out that in the first DA, the name of the road was mentioned as “Mini-Laluri Link Road” while in the second DA, it was mentioned as “Nimi-Laluri Road.”
Such variation in names (Mini & Nimi) makes it appear like the projects were different whereas it was the same project, NPRAAF pointed out.
NPRAAF asked whether this was a ploy to confuse public or was it only a “clerical error- a technique which the government departments often resort to in order to cover up any misgivings?” . The forum has demanded that FD and G&M clarify on this matter at the earliest.
According to NPRAAF, the FD expenditure ‘B’ Branch on two occasions, released a total amount of Rs 20.72 crore for construction the RCC Bridge.
It said that on January 13, 2017 an amount of Rs 10.09 crore was released through DA no. 32 of 2016-17 under demand no. 54 – Geology & Mining. Again on May 1, 2017 Rs 10.63 crore was released through DA no. 1 of 2017-18 under the same demand number.
“The most astonishing point in this matter is, how was it possible for the FD to release Rs 10.09 crore under State Plan (Additional Fund) and Rs 10.63 crore under State Plan (RE) for the same project?” the forum said.
In this regard, NPRAAF again demanded to know what FD meant by State Plan (Additional Fund) and State Plan (RE)?
Even after having cited Central government’s directive, against usage of such nomenclatures– Non-Plan, State Plan etc., NPRAAF said that the department still continue to do so.
NPRAAF concluded that usage of such nomenclature( which ceased after Planning Commission was done away with) only indicated that the government was running short of vocabularies to be used in the dubious means for issuing Drawal Authorities.
It also took note of FD’s recent response that “releases of funds were based on sanctions from the concerned Ministry.”
NPRAAF said if such were the case then FD has to clarify as to how Rs 20.72 crore was released and under which scheme, whether it was NEC, NLCPR etc and the sanction/released by the GoI. Further, the forum has also asked both FD and geology & mining department to make public the total cost of the project and how much amount was released so far and name of the contractor/firm.
NPRAAF said there were reports of the project cost being already released before and that the latest two DAs of Rs 20.71 crore was an additional cost over and above the original cost released allegedly “as adjustments of contractors, politicians and bureaucrats.”
In this regard, NPRAAF said it expected FD to provide a clarification in the interest of the public and not issue hollow statements as with previous press rejoinders.
Furthermore, NPRAAF wondered whether G&M department was the nodal department/authorized to carry out construction of bridges since this was within the domain of R&B department. If so, NPRAAF demanded to know if the G&M department has enough qualified technical officers to undertake road and bridge project?
It may be recalled that the NPRAAF had also raised questions over the double Drawal Authority for “construction of road from Sainik School, Punglwa to Jalukie (from ODR to Intermediate lane – 28 km), Construction of RCC girder bridge (double lane) on Phetso and Chuza river and extension of Dzumha bridge from single lane to double lane, (b) construction of RCC girder double bridges on Chathe, Daru, Hekhaperu and Teru in between New Chumukedima and Ngwalo (Rs 7.00 crore), double drawals for construction of 17 Boys/Girls hostel for Scheduled Tribe at various locations across the state, DAs related to repair/renovations, retaining walls, boundary walls etc. for Planning Colony, Kohima and for activities under Provision to Art 275 (1) of the Constitution of India etc.