Nagaland NewsAll NPF charges baseless: NDPP

All NPF charges baseless: NDPP

Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has dismissed outright the allegation made by opposition NPF that it (NDPP) was attempting to poach on NPF MLAs and termed them as “nothing but public display of insecurity on their own elected representatives”.

NDPP media & communication committee also termed as “wild and false” the allegations made by the Leader of Opposition (LoO) T.R. Zeliang that the PDA government had misused VDB funds. NDPP said the allegation lacked factual authenticity and truth and was politically motivated. 

On the issue of NDPP trying to poach NPF MLAs, the media & communication committee (MCC) refuted it and instead said that it was “an open secret” that NPF MLAs were highly frustrated and restless for having to sit in the opposition for almost one year.

NDPP instead advised NPF to concentrate on keeping its flock together other than raise false allegations. It also stated that by raising the issue in public domain, NPF only exposed how it used “threat and intimidation to keep its party rank and file, including its elected members in order.”

Further, NDPP said NPF should be the last to question the PDA government over instilling confidence and security in the minds of the people since the people still recalled the kind of governance under DAN-III for the last four years; such as the “tumultuous intra-party political upheavals” never before experienced in the last 55 years that “invariably denied the people of the state their rights.”

NDPP also pointed out that it was during the NPF regime that the severest of public outrage was witnessed over ULB polls which also led to the deaths of two “promising young lives.” NDPP said these undermined the NPF’s own motto “Fide Non Armis” (By Faith, Not Arms) because NPF leaders “could not keep their commitment to the wishes of their people”.

NDPP also hit out at NPF for claiming achievements for ongoing road projects which it said again highlighted “the selfish attitude of NPF” and a public admittance that it (NPF) was a party for accolades and not welfare of people.

 NDPP said it had reiterated time and again that any development for the state was for people of the state regardless of which party was in power. Further it reiterated its commitment to work for fulfilling the needs and wants of people and not to indulge in “petty selfish political dramatics.”

NDPP reminded NPF that though PDA was still trying to overcome the huge financial burden left behind by the previous NPF-led DAN-III government, it was trill trying to provide necessary development to cater to the welfare of people. While totally refuting the allegations made by NPF that PDA government had “parked” VDB funds to the tune of Rs.96 crore, NDPP said it has brought positive changes in keeping its promises with the cooperation and contribution from the people. 

NDPP extended New Year greeting to the people of Nagaland and placed on record its unwavering commitment to the development of Nagaland, the welfare of the people and good governance through accountability, transparency and sustainability.

RD dept rejoinder to NPF allegation
Rural Development department denied outright any misuse/misappropriation of VDB funds (Grant-in-Aid) as alleged by opposition NPF.
Rural Development director Imlimeren Jamir in a statement clarified that release of Rs 96 crore was meant for restoration of backlogs for the periods 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2017-18 and not as claimed.
The director also explained that criteria for household allocation was Rs 66,000 (lumpsum) for 0-66 households and Rs 1,000 per household for 67 and above households.
The director also pointed out that once the department made allocation as per VDB Model Rules 1980, VDBs have to formulate their own schemes and submit to the block. 
After satisfying all procedures and formalities, the block tenders a full report to the district planning & development board (DP&DB) for deliberation and approval. 
On receipt of clearance from the DP&DB, the Director explained that the block prepares technical estimates and submit these to the directorate, along with utilisation certificates, audit reports and VDB welfare fund fixed deposit of the last release. 
Thereafter, the engineering wing of the directorate scrutinises the technical estimates and forward them for approval. After approval of the same, the directorate then prepares and sends demand draft to the deputy commissioner, who is also the VDB chairman. 
The director pointed out that release of fund to VDBs was subject to the procedure explained above. As such, he said that grant-in-aid fund to VDBs could not be misused by the department since the DPDB is responsible for implementation of the VDB schemes. 
He disclosed that so far funds for all the blocks in Peren and Dimapur districts and some blocks in Mon had been cleared, while remaining blocks were yet to complete the required formalities.

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