STATE GOVT CLARIFIES ON ASUNGBA SANGTAM’S STATEMENT

The full text of the clarification from Planning & Coordination Department with regard to the statement made by K. Asungba Sangtam on “Northeast Tonight with Wasbir Hussain” are as follows:

“Attention has been invited through various quarters to statement made by K. Asungba Sangtam, former Member of Parliament, in the News Channel Northeast Live program "Northeast Tonight with Wasbir Hussain", in the debate on ENPO's demand for Eastern Nagaland. Asangba Sangtam had stated in the debate (at 41:45 minute onwards) that 'some years back a package of 300 crore was given to Nagaland. People did not know and money was given to the State Government. Nobody knows today where that package has gone. All along from the beginning till today this misuse is going on.

The facts in this regard have been checked in the Planning & Coordination department. As per the available documents, it is recorded that during the discussions on the Annual Plan for 2012-13 held on 26th June 2012 between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and Chief Minister, Nagaland, the former agreed to provide Special Plan Assistance (SPA)/ Special Central Assistance (SCA) of Rs. 1,268 crore. In addition, it was agreed to provide Special Plan Assistance Package for Eastern Nagaland Region of Rs. 300 crore subject to availability of additional resources from Ministry of Finance. The said assistance was to be utilized for identified projects to be approved by Planning Commission. The details are noted in the approval of the Annual Plan 2012-13 conveyed by Planning Commission vide No. 4/18/2011-FR dated 18.06.2012.

The State Government had, therefore, submitted proposals for Rs. 333.33 crore to Planning Commission for approval. The Commission had, however, conveyed that "under Addl. Central Resources (SPA) for Eastern Nagaland Region, Gol has not approved/released the whole amount of Rs. 300.00 cr”. This was communicated to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland vide letter No. M.13048/19(NL)/2011/SP-NE dated 16/5/2013 (Paragraph 1(d)).

Government of India, therefore, did not approve the proposals for Rs. 333.33 crore for Eastern Nagaland region and no fund was released to the State Government. The allegation of misutilization of the said funds is therefore without any basis.”

                                                                                                (DIPR)