Taking serious note of the alleged “mismanagement and misuse” of funds meant for rehabilitation of Nagaland Pulp and Paper Company Limited (Tuli Paper Mill), the Tuli Area Joint Council Forum (TAJCF) and NPPCL union office bearers in a meeting on October 2, resolved to take up the matter.
In a press note, TAJCF president Benjung Jamir stated that the house took note of the funds released by Centre– Rs. 54.60 crore by ministry of Heavy Industry & Public Enterprises (HI&PE) on September 17, 2007 and Rs. 100 crore on September 19, 2013 to Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd. (HPCLL) for implementation of part revival plan of NPPCL.
However, they expressed dismay that the fund was diverted to other paper mills without the knowledge of NPPCL and the state government.
The meeting resolved that as per Centre’s directive, the following should be followed: (i). The company will furnish as per-receipted bill to the Ministry for payment of amount to be drawn against this sanction, (ii). No fund will be diverted under any circumstances and CMD, HPCL will be held responsible for any diversion or misappropriation of funds, (iii.) CMD, HPCL shall be personally responsible for proper utilizations of these funds, (iv). CMD, HPCL shall be personally responsible for compliance of provision of companies Act, (v). The company will issue 10,0000 ordinary shares of the face value of Rs. 1000 each in the name of the President of India, (vi). In accordance with the ministry’s memo no. 1-34019/1/78 dated 01.05.1979, the drawing & disbursing officer, ministry of HI&PE will act as the DDO for the interest subsidy bill in respect of this sanction in terms of ministry of Finance (DEA) O.M.No.10 (48)/8/68 dated 25.11.69 and (vii). The utilization certificate in respect to this amount shall be furnished by HPCL to this Ministry in duplicate as prescribed in the Ministry of Finance O.M.No.11(1)/E-11 (A)/67 dated 29.08.67 within a period of one year from the date of issue of this sanction.
The house further resolved to entrust social worker and former Tuli A/C Congress candidate I. Chubatangit Jamir to take up the matter related to NPPCL through RTI or court of law in order to deliver justice.
It may be mentioned that the Centre earlier this year earmarked Rs 489 crore for revival of the defunct Tuli Paper Mill.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise Anand G Geete during his visit to Tuli on February 10, assured that Centre has activated action plan to revive the Tuli Paper Mill.
He had also said that another Rs. 190 crore would be allocated to take up works in phase two.
The commissioning of the mill was expected by November 2016, however it has now been delayed and extended to November 2017.