No legal provision for deductions from contract work, says Finance department in RTI response

DIMAPUR — A Right to Information (RTI) reply from the Nagaland Finance Department (Revenue Branch) has revealed that there is no legal provision authorising deductions from contract/supply work for ministers/advisors, party funds or mobilisation funds.

A social activist had filed an RTI application on May 3, 2024 in Mokokchung, seeking details about the legal basis for deductions of 10% for Ministers/Advisors, 5% for party funds and 5% for mobilisation fund from contract/supply work, to which a reply was furnished on June 12.

The RTI also sought “information on the utilisation of deducted funds for the benefit of the people of Nagaland including specific initiatives funded by these deductions”, as well as requested for copies of any official documents, circulars or notifications that outline the guidelines or regulations governing such deductions, along with “details of any audits or reviews conducted to assess transparency and accountability of these deductions and their utilisations”.

It went on to seek clarifications on whether the deductions comply with the principles of taxation and financial governance.

Replying to these queries, the Assistant Public Information Officer (Finance) stated that “the State Government, Finance Department has not provided any provision in any of the Nagaland State Government Financial Acts or rules, nor issued any notifications or orders for deductions as mentioned in the RTI question from contract/supply works”.

The APIO further stated that in view of this, the remaining questions do not arise.