As per the latest NITI Aayog India Innovative Index 2021 released on July 21, 2022, Nagaland is the worst and the last ranked State among the “NE and Hilly States” – comprising of 10 states
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Rising People’s Party (RPP) on Monday has appealed to the government of India, particularly the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMAs) to be much aware and careful not to perpetuate the cycle of corruption in the state of Nagaland. This particular appeal pertains to the release of funds under PMJVK.
According to a press statement issued by RPP vice-president, Vitho Zao, and general secretary, Akum Longkumer, it was learnt that the Nagaland state cabinet has forwarded a “list of projects” to be included under PMJVK 2022-23 to the ministry for sanctioning, amounting to Rs 297.80 Crore.
In this regard, the RPP has requested the authority to consider many track records of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government of Nagaland was one of the the worst performing states under six parameters (poverty, health, affordable energy, sustainable cities, industries and infrastructure) as per SDGI index of NITI Aayog 2021, worst performing state as per State Energy and Climate index (SECI)
as per NITI Aayog 2022, Nagaland ranks 33rd out of 35 states & UTs worst performing state under the National Health Index 2019-20 (NITI Aayog), Nagaland University ranked as the worst in the NE region with scores in the151-200 band under National
Institutional Ranking framework (NIRF).
According to RPP, as per the latest NITI Aayog India Innovative Index 2021 released on July 21, 2022, Nagaland is the worst and the last ranked State among the “NE and Hilly States” – comprising of 10 states, Nagaland High Court building remains incomplete even after 15 years, perpetual deficit state budget with the latest being minus 2212.74 Crore for the year 2022-23, non-payment of salaries to 130,000 government employees, including teachers, police personnel, and national mission employees.
Also according to the latest CAG report, misappropriation of funds, losses, thefts etc., involving government money stands at Rs 207.25 Crores, and also highlighted that there were as many as 399 projects lying incomplete and in addition, Utilization Certificates (UCs) worth Rs 456.2 Crores are due for submission.
RPP also said that Nagaland is presently the only state in India without a medical college though work started in 2014 and that this is such a “horrible” track record pointing to systemic corruption. It may be mentioned that central schemes like MNREGA is an abject failure in the state, where beneficiaries are hardly getting five man-days of wages.
NPCC president, K Therie has alleged that the 21 Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) MLAs who recently defected to the ruling NDPP were each paid Rs. 2.50 Crore, money which was apparently diverted from MNREGA fund and wherein the allegation is yet to be refuted.
The project list is politically motivated.
The UDA government has openly neglected the most backward area in the state, an area called Eastern Nagaland comprising of six districts where only seven out the 52 projects are proposed to be implemented, said RPP while adding that there is not even a single project in the “aspirational district” of Kiphire, the most backward district in the country. It goes without saying that almost none of the projects will be implemented.
The Government of India under the dynamic vision of prime minister, Modi, is leaving no stone unturned to develop the North Eastern states, and yet the reality is totally different, also said the RPP. RPP added that in view of the above, it appealed the Ministry may set up and conduct independent review on the implementation of all the past sanctioned projects in the state and in the meantime, the funding/allocation of projects may be withhold/stopped.