ANCSU warns stir over delay in REC-funded girls’ hostel

Correspondent – KOHIMA, MAY 8 (NPN): The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) on Thursday warned of agitation and protest over the prolonged delay in the construction of a 100-bedded girls’ hostel at Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Jotsoma, alleging that the REC-funded project worth over Rs. 3.53 crore now faces the risk of cancellation and refund due to inaction by the concerned authorities.
ANCSU warned that if the issue was not resolved within a week, the union would issue an ultimatum and launch agitation and protest.
Addressing a press conference at the union office, ANCSU president Kivika Yeptho expressed concern that despite approval of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding amounting to Rs. 3,52,68,650 and release of the first installment of Rs. 1,05,80,595 on April 12, 2023, the project has remained stalled for nearly three years.
He said the state government, Investments & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN and Higher Education department, functioning as the Project Implementing Committee, had initially proposed upgrading the hostel into an international standard facility through a joint funding arrangement. Under the proposal, the State Government was expected to contribute Rs. 2.47 crore, taking the total estimated cost to Rs. 6 crore.
However, ANCSU alleged that failure to ensure timely execution and the delay in sanctioning the state share resulted in the project remaining incomplete even after repeated follow-ups.
The union pointed out that the project was originally proposed under REC CSR funding specifically for construction of a girls’ hostel at Kohima Science College, where female students constitute the majority.
It stated that the institution currently has only one girls’ hostel with a 100-bed capacity.
ANCSU said the proposal was submitted by the IDAN Department to REC Limited on October 6, 2022 and approved on March 14, 2023, while an MoU was signed on March 23, 2023.
The first installment was later released on April 12, 2023.
The union said a meeting held on April 27, 2023 resolved to execute the project under Engineering, Procurement and Commission (EPC) mode using prefabricated structures for faster completion. Subsequently, the e-tendering process was initiated in August 2023.
Later, ANCSU said IDAN proposed upgrading the hostel into an international standard facility with additional support from the state government.
However, after preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the total project cost was estimated at Rs. 6 crore, creating a funding gap of Rs. 2.47 crore.
ANCSU said despite repeated correspondence and follow-ups, the State Government reportedly failed to sanction the remaining amount, resulting in prolonged delay. It added that the REC company had now initiated an official request for refund of the sanctioned amount as the project remained time-bound under CSR guidelines, with the extended completion deadline fixed for February 2026.
The union further claimed that the IDAN was now reportedly preparing to refund the sanctioned amount. ANCSU also informed that it had recently appealed to the Chief Secretary to intervene and seek a further extension from REC. However, according to the union, the Chief Secretary’s office verbally informed them that the government was not in a position to convince the company because of the prolonged delay.
Maintaining that the sanctioned amount should be utilised for immediate construction of the girls’ hostel, the union appealed to the State Government and concerned departments to begin the work without further delay.