Rio updates on DUDA budget proposal

KOHIMA — Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, updated that 29 constituencies are overseen by the department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) with a budget allocations varying between INR 15,00,000 and 70,00,000 for different constituencies.

Rio stated this while replying to a starred question raised by MLA A Nyamnyei Konyak during the fourth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Rio, who also serves as the minister-in-charge of DUDA, unveiled the budget allocation for each constituency for the fiscal year 2023-24.

Rio stated that an allocation of INR 70,00,000 each has been designated for each constituency including 41 Tizit AC, 42 Wakching AC, 43 Tapi AC, 49 Tamlu AC, 50 Longleng AC, 51 Noksen AC, 52 Longkhim Chare AC, 53 Tuensang Sadar-I AC, 54 Tuensang AC, 58 Shamator-Chessore AC and 59 Seyochung Sitimi AC.

Rio also stated that an allocation of INR 60,00,000 each has been designated for 44 Phomching AC, 45 Tehok AC, 46 Mon town AC, 47 Aboi AC, 48 Moka AC, 55 Tobu AC, 56 Noklak AC, 57 Thonoknyu AC and 60 Pungro-Kiphire AC.

Besides, Rio informed that an allocation of INR 30,00,000 each is being allotted to 6 Tening AC, 7 Peren AC, 20 Meluri AC, 34 Aghunato AC, 36 Satakha (Satoi Area) AC and 40 Bhandari AC.

Additionally, Rio stated that INR 20,00,000 each has been designated for 24 A/C Angetyongpang and INR 15,00,000 each for 33 A/C Suruhuto and 21 A/C Tuli.

Rio, who also serves as the minister in charge of Finance, stated that the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has instructed the procedure for releasing funds under the centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) and monitoring fund utilisation through the office memorandum dated 23-3-2021.

In response to the starred questions raised by NPF MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, he mentioned that each state government will designate a single nodal agency (SNA) and establish an SNA account in any scheduled commercial bank for each centrally sponsored scheme (CSS).

Rio informed that funds would be disbursed to the states solely basing on the balance of funds of the centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) available in the state treasury and the bank account of the SNA with no more than 25% of the earmarked amount being released.

He also updated that an additional central share of no more than 25% at a time will be released once the stipulated state share is transferred to the SNA account and at least 75% of the previously released funds have been utilised.

Rio further informed that the government is rigorously following the SOP prescribed by the Ministry of Finance for releasing funds under CSS.