Departmental Enquiry Committee constituted to probe MGNREGA misuse allegation in Nagaland

EM Bureau
Dimapur, May 13 (EMN): Governor of Nagaland has constituted a Departmental Enquiry Committee to enquire into the alleged misuse of fund under MGNREGA at Longzang village under Phomching Block in Mon district.

According to the notification, the enquiry committee comprising Azenuo Pienyü, Addl. Director, RD, as chairperson; P Koza, Project Director, DRDA Mon, and Manhon Konyak, Programme Officer, MGNREGA DRDA Mon, as members, will examine the detailed records of the VDB Longzang village for the period of alleged misuse of funds and hear the parties involved to ascertain the factual position.

The committee has been entrusted to verify the works taken up under MGNREGA during the period submit its report within 15 days from the date of issue of the notification (May 13). It also should recommend appropriate action to be taken by the government as deem fit as per its findings.

In view of this development, the RD department has asked the deputy commissioner of Mon, Thavaseelan K, to suspend Village Development Board (VDB) Longzang village till the matter is settled in order to avoid misuse of fund by the VDB functionary.

This came in the wake of allegations levelled against Village Council Chairman (VCC) and VDB Secretary of Longzang village. A press release issued by chairman Kaiwang Konyak and secretary Tahmao Konyak on behalf of the public alleged that the two leaders had misappropriated funds to the tune of INR 4,79,24,510 (approximately INR 4.79 crore) without carrying out any work.

It also alleged that the villagers had approached the Mon DC and Block Development Officer (BDO), Phomching, in writing on March 3 this year not to release MGNREGA fund in view of the cited issue but the fund was released without verification.

However, Thavaseelan told Eastern Mirror that the villagers didn’t approach him either in writing or in person not to release the said fund.

According to official documents on this matter, which are made available to this newspaper, Mon DC had in February 2021 directed all the HODs to stop all development funds under various schemes that were routed through Village Council/ VDB secretary of Longzang village with immediate effect, while continuing the schemes that provide benefit to the people directly.

However, the DC received a letter from BDO Phomching in October the same year, requesting the release of funds to Longzang as it’s affecting the entire Phomching block.

In a letter dated January 24, 2022, Mon DC asked Kaiwang and Tahmao to submit documentary proof of funds misappropriation allegations against the re-elected VCC. The reply from the duo said that the general public was totally against the re-election while citing misuse of funds but there was no mention of INR 4.79 crore.

In another letter dated May 3, Kaiwang and Tahmao requested BDO Phomching not to release MGNREGA funds. However, an order was issued authorising the release of INR 3194520 to VDB Longzang under MGNREGA for the financial year 2021-22 with assurance to utilise the amount for development activities and the remaining amount would be withheld if found misused.

This newspaper has been informed that the release fund is 30% of the total amount for “new work” and not associated with any work done in the past. It is also said that the remaining 70% fund wouldn’t be released till work is done and inspection completed.