Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 3 (NPN): More than 1,000 government personnel in Nagaland are suspected of fraudulently drawing double salaries or pensions, prompting the Home department to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Deputy chief minister Y. Patton, who holds the Home portfolio, disclosed this in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday while responding to advisor Kuzholuzo Nienu’s question on police salary drawals.
Patton said the suspected cases involved employees from around 50 government departments, not just police. He said the actual number would be established after the investigation.
Nienu said he had been informed that around 600 to 700 personnel were drawing double salaries and termed it “shocking”. He urged stringent action, including termination and prosecution, against those found guilty, and suggested dismissed employees be barred from joining other government departments to deter such offences.
He said the cases exposed systemic weaknesses requiring stronger safeguards.
The department said that after e-Pay was introduced, the Personnel Information Management System (PIMS) was the sole determining factor for salary drawal, while sanctioned post strength was strictly followed for Nagaland Police salaries. Nienu termed the response vague and unsatisfactory and called for systemic reforms.
He also sought an overhaul of police recruitment policy, saying the “age-old” system must reflect modern policing, including digital policing and artificial intelligence.
Nienu renewed his 2023 demand for a comprehensive police transfer and posting policy, suggesting personnel serve in outlying areas for a period before becoming eligible for directorate postings or promotion.
Patton said the suggestions were noted and reiterated that the SIT would determine the extent of suspected double salary and pension drawals after completing its investigation.