Relief fund: Nagaland authority clarifies data leak

Police on the job

Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 24 (EMN):

The Nagaland authorities have clarified that the personal information of Nagaland citizens stranded outside the state who availing the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) by registering at the iamstranded.nagaland.gov.in, may have leaked through point of contacts.

This may have happened during verification of lists of stranded persons that are with unions and organisations.

According to Shanavas C, principal director for School Education, “Maybe through (phone) when they (unions and organisations—point of contacts) were sharing and discussing, from one of them unknowingly or knowingly, it must have leaked.”

The officer said this on Thursday during an interaction with a section of reporters at Secretariat Complex in Kohima.

The officer, who is also in charge of monitoring and coordinating with Nagas stranded outside the state, has admitted to the ‘mistake’ on the part of the department for the breach of personal information.

“Information has leaked and that is the mistake from the department’s part also. I take responsibility being the nodal officer,” Shanavas said. He assured that the police are on the job.

The “lists (of stranded persons) for verification” were given to organisations and unions to verify and to get back to the authorities. However, in the process of verification, it “might got leaked” from some of them, he said.

The verification process was to identify and ascertain whether the persons applying for monetary relief were genuine. In some cases, it was found that some people were applying for multiple times.

Some persons staying in Kohima also were found to be applying for the package claiming that they were staying in Shillong, Meghalaya. Stern action will be taken for such malpractice during these trying times, the officer said.

Cyber Crime cell investigating

As for the data leak, the Cyber Crime cell of the Nagaland Police has taken up the case. It is tracking that document through which the phone numbers had gone out to social media platforms, he said.

‘Police is on the job, enquiry is going on,’ the officer said and added “let’s wait for one or two days.” He appealed to citizens to not worry, and that offenders would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Information Technology Act.

On Wednesday, around 870 stranded persons were listed for payment while on Thursday around 7000 persons were listed. Close to 10k applicants were received at the portal.

Estimated population

It is estimated that the number of the state’s people outside Nagaland is around 20,300 including approximately 6k students while the rest are working, the officer said.

However, there are also citizens who may not need financial assistance owing to a better economic background, he added.

Shanavas C said stranded people who are in need of the assistance can apply by submitting their details. Upon receiving the data, the authorities will verify for duplications.

Within one or two days, money will be disbursed in their accounts directly, the official said.

Origin of issue

The issue started during the first phase of the lockdown. During that time, things were being done manually through phones, he said.

Subsequently, a team was assembled and contact points—unions, organisations, fellowships, and well wishers from all the cities over India—were established.  

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had announced on April 20 a special package from the CMRF for citizens of the state stranded outside Nagaland.

Package

According to the package, each stranded student is entitled to receive INR 3000, a stranded worker (mostly in private firms) would receive INR 4000, while a health patient outside Nagaland would receive INR 20,000.

They may avail the assistance after submitting details at iamstranded.nagaland.gov.in.