Claiming moral victory, Nagaland Transparency Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organization (NTPRADAO People’s Justice) has welcomed the setting up of the four-member committee Departmental Enquiry Committee (DEC) to enquire into certain allegations in respect of implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state.
While stating that it was a victory against JJM corruption for the entire people of Nagaland, NTPRADAO (PJ) also announced suspending its public protest, mass agitation and all other related action plans indefinitely since the state government had conceded to its demand for instituting an inquiry.
The committee would be led by commissioner & secretary Cooperation, Zarenthung Ezung as chairman, with Swachh Bharat Mission– Gramin mission director Gwatilo Tep and Treasuries & Accounts additional director Amenla Jamir as members, and deputy secretary PHE Amentoli Anar as member secretary.
The committee would ascertain the status of works implemented in the projects vis-à-vis adherence to DPRs and JJM guidelines from inception to till date, crosscheck the status of reporting in the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) with actual implementation in the villages/habitations, examine complaints/grievances, if any, and look into whether appropriate actions had been taken to address them, and identify whether any lapses or shortcomings were there in the course of implementation of JJM from inception to till date, besides suggesting measures for further improvement in its implementation.
This was stated in a notification issued by chief secretary Dr J Alam on December 19, 2024. The committee would submit its report within 45 days from the date of issue of notification.
Meanwhile, NTPRADAO (PJ) in a statement said it had some “technical issues” to be sorted out, which it would do so formally with the committee’s chairperson soon.
The organisation mentioned that the state government had done the “most appropriate and just action” by setting up the committee, as demanded by the organisation since October 19, 2024.
Stating that its struggle for two months had finally bore fruits, the organisation thanked chief minister Neiphiu Rio for taking a pro-active public welfare stance and giving the go ahead for the committee, which hopefully would be transparent and justice oriented. The organisation said it would wait and watch till the 45-day timeframe of the committee was over.
Meanwhile, NTPRADAO (PJ) cautioned the committee to be very cautious and careful in thoroughly investigating the alleged JJM corruptions as 22 lakh people of Nagaland, as well as central agencies were keenly watching.
The organisation stressed that the committee had to maintain neutrality, balance of perspective and unbiased nature/scope in order to go to the bottom of the alleged corruptions to nail the persons involved in corrupt practices if any.
NTPRADAO (PJ) assured to play the role of an “unrelenting watchdog” with the functioning of the committee, and carefully analyse the report when presented for a closer examination and scrutiny for anomalies, if any, so that a concrete logical conclusion could be arrived at.
The organisation also urged incumbent PHE chief engineer to maintain complete impartial stance and not try to shield any past or present officials, so that the committee could carry out its task in a smooth manner. NTPRADAO (PJ) asserted that it would leave no stone unturned till justice was delivered, and the common masses enjoyed the fruits of development to the fullest extent.