Eastern Nagaland package: Planning department refutes former MP's claim

Dimapur, Nov. 24 (EMN):  The department of Planning and Coordination has refuted the statement made by former Member of Parliament K Asungba Sangtam on “Northeast Tonight with Wasbir Hussain” where he claimed that a Central package of INR 300 crore earmarked for eastern Nagaland had been misused by the state government.

The department said that as per available documents, during the discussions on the Annual Plan for 2012-13 held on June 26, 2012 between deputy chairman, planning commission and chief minister of Nagaland, the former agreed to provide special plan assistance or special central assistance of INR  1,268 crore.

In addition, it was agreed to provide special plan assistance package for eastern Nagaland region of INR 300 crore subject to availability of additional resources from the Ministry of Finance.

“The said assistance was to be utilised for identified projects to be approved by Planning Commission. The details are noted in the approval of the Annual Plan 2012-13 conveyed by Planning Commission vide No. 4/18/2011-FR dated 18.06.2012.

“The State Government had, therefore, submitted proposals for INR 333.33 crore to Planning Commission for approval,” an update from DIPR stated.

It further said that the Commission had, however, conveyed that "under Addl. Central Resources (SPA) for eastern Nagaland region, Gol has not approved/released the whole amount of INR 300 crore”, which was communicated to the chief secretary, Nagaland on May 16, 2013.

The department said the government of India, therefore, did not approve the proposals for INR 333.33 crore for eastern Nagaland and no fund was released to the state government.

“The allegation of misutilisation of the said funds is therefore without any basis,” it added.