Nagaland H&FW deptt rebuts DDCC charges of fund misuse

Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has refuted the Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC)’s allegations of misuse of funds in H&FW department, particularly ongoing construction projects and healthcare infrastructure in Dimapur, Niuland, and Chümoukedima districts.
In a press release, H&FW department’s medical engineering wing stated that work order for upgradation of nursing college, Dimapur at Rs.6.10 crore was issued in two phases dated March 13, 2024.
The department informed that works under phase-I (to be completed within 10 months) included site development, dismantling of existing structure, construction of kitchen and construction of ground floor while works under phase-II included construction of first floor & second floor (completion period-10 months).
The department stated that stipulated completion date for the combined civil works was upto November 2025, adding targeted to be completed within the timeline.
According to the department, physical progress of the project was at 65% for the mentioned works only and did not include other services, which would start on completion of the civil works.
Out of Rs.3.50 crore received from the central ministry, it said an amount of Rs.3.47 crore had been released to the contractor as per the progress at site. The department asserted that any compromise in quality, if any, would be rectified as per DPR specification.
Further, it said construction of borewell and overhead water tank including filtration unit (two units) amounting to Rs.61 lakh was an ongoing project. The department stated that sanctioned cost included the provision of two overhead water tanks with iron structures and iron filtration units, in addition to the two borewells.
The department clarified that the estimate was as per NPWD SoR and not as stated in the media. The department also stated that no payment had been made to the contractor till date.
Similarly, it said the construction of the boundary wall amounting to Rs.1.10 crore was also an ongoing project. The department pointed out that total length of the wall was about 600 meters with a height of 1.83 meters brick wall above the plinth beam and CRSM work below the plinth level.
It further pointed out that only 51% of the total payment had as been released to the contractor so far, as the work was still in progress.
Stating that cost estimates for the works have been arrived as per NPWD SoR 2021, the department has, therefore, clarified that there was no issue of overestimation.
On PHC staff quarter at Kuhuboto, the department said it was completed on September 24, 2021 and the completion certificate was issued by competent authority after due inspection and verification. However, it said that any wear and tear owing to passage of time would be repaired accordingly and ensure occupation by the staff of the concerned health unit.
On Integrated Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) at District Hospital Dimapur, the department said construction was completed on March 19, 2025 and was fully operational. It assured that any compromise in quality of work, if any, would be covered under defect liability of the contract.