Nagaland Congress rejects DoHFW’s reply; demands CAG audit

Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC) has rejected the press statement issued by the Medical Engineering Wing of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW), terming it an evasive and unsatisfactory response to the allegations of mismanagement and corruption raised by the committee.
In a press statement, DDCC said the department’s reply, while attempting to provide technical clarifications, failed to address the core issues with the transparency and documentary proof that the public deserved. It said the allegations raised by the committee—based on RTI replies and physical verification—stood firm against what it described as the department’s unsubstantiated claims.
It said that merely stating that projects were “ongoing” or that quality would be “rectified” was inadequate in the face of specific instances of poor workmanship, delays and wastage of public funds highlighted by the committee.
Reiterating its stand, DDCC demanded immediate public disclosure of key documents within the 10-day ultimatum period, including– upgradation of Nursing College, DH Dimapur: Complete Detailed Project Report (DPR) with cost break-ups and architectural plans; Integrated Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) at DH Dimapur: Complete DPR, final inspection report leading to commissioning, completion certificate, and the names and designations of officials who issued the inspection and completion certificates and Staff Quarters at Kuhuboto PHC: Complete DPR, contractor details, and the completion certificate issued on September 24, 2021.
The DDCC questioned how a structure certified as complete had become uninhabitable within a few years due to waterlogging and foundational flaws, calling it a failure of both construction and inspection.
Given the “scale of discrepancies” and the department’s “failure to provide a credible account”, DDCC demanded that the state government initiate a comprehensive audit of all completed health infrastructure projects in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts.
It said the audit must be conducted either by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India or by a special team constituted by the Chief Secretary’s office.
This, it stated, was essential for restoring public confidence and ensuring accountability of public expenditure.
DDCC also said the DoHFW press statement failed to address several critical issues raised during its November 6 press conference. It demanded point-by-point clarification on– acute shortage of doctors and nurses in PHCs and CHCs in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland, which DDCC said had rendered many facilities non-functional.
Unresolved 4th Grade job issue, wherein landowners in Unity Village and other areas had allegedly donated land based on promises of jobs. DDCC said the department must clarify its policy and resolve the impasse that had left completed sub-centres closed or occupied by private individuals.
Construction of unauthorized buildings within the Niuland PHC premises. DDCC said the department’s claimed lack of knowledge was unacceptable and demanded to know who was responsible for safeguarding government health facilities.
Discrepancies in medicine procurement, including pricing and repeated selection of the same vendors, which it said raised serious questions about the tendering process.
High cost of blood tests at the Dimapur District Hospital blood bank, which it said remained unaffordable for ordinary citizens.
DDCC said it would not be placated by vague assurances, asserting that the people of Nagaland deserved a health department that was accountable, transparent and effective. It warned that if the DoHFW failed to provide a comprehensive, point-by-point response backed with documents and a commitment to an independent audit within 10 days, the committee would proceed with a democratic public demonstration at the District Hospital Dimapur.