Dimapur, Sep. 19 (EMN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum has today rebutted to the earlier statement of the Finance Department that there were no double withdrawals as very flimsy excuse.
"The State Finance Department’s (FD) response to NPRAAF on construction of 17 hostels is the flimsiest and most unsatisfactory excuse ever encountered by NPRAAF from any government department," stated the press release from the NPRAAF.
It questioned the department that if the if the amount released under CSS Grants under Proviso to Article 275 (1) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, then why the same was not mentioned in the two drawal authorities for construction of 17 hostels.
The rights forum reminded the department that in order to prove that the amount came under the ambit of Article 275 (1), the department needs to furnish the sanction copy for the two drawal authorities and construction of "four hostels for 400 ST girls".
"For any sanction received under Article 275 (1), the FD normally releases the amount mentioning the same as in the case of Rs 17 crore which was released dated 16 June 2016 vide NO.BUD/8-27/2016-17/LA/644 with break up details for various projects. With what exception and intention did the FD not mention in the two DAs that the construction of 17 hostels was under Article 275 (1)? As long as the FD does not furnish GoI sanction copy for these two DAs, the expenditure still remains doubtful, " it further stated.
It also questioned why the FD chose to remain silent on the beneficiary list of CM Corpus Fund against which a total amount of Rs 2.46 crore was released on two occasions.
The NPRAAF also further demanded the department to provide detailed breakup of the Rs 31.90 crore and Rs 19.89 crore totalling to Rs. 51.79 crore that was released on March 31 2017 and June 29 2017 respectively for 'activities under Provision to Art 275 (1) of the Constitution'.
It also added that if the amount Rs 17 crore released on June 16, 2016 is added, the total amount so far released under Article 275 (1) comes to Rs 68.79 crore.
The NPRAAF also appealed the State Vigilance Commission to immediately inquire into this issue relating to sanction under the provisions of Article 275 (1) of the Constitution and "bring out the truth in the interest of the public".
