ACAUT Nagaland hit out at Nagaland State VDB Association (NSVDBA) for trying to defend the Rural Development Department over alleged misappropriation of Rs.1188.79 crore MGNREGA funds (2016-17).
ACAUT said due to “ignorance” of NSVDBA, the latter’s rejoinder disclosed that MGNREGA funds could not be released from VDB accounts without approval and information of the VDB secretary, since the accounts were jointly held by the BDO,VC Chairman and VDB secretary in every village.
ACAUT said NSVDBA has therefore admitted misappropriation of MGNREGA funds and also indirectly admitted that VDB members were involved in such scams. In addition, ACAUT said the NSVDBA rejoinder also proved that blank cheques given to RD officers with the tacit knowledge of VDB secretaries. ACAUT also asked RD to stop firing from the shoulders of NSVDBA and the latter not to be a scapegoat.
ACAUT said when it sought clarification from the chief minister, in-charge of finance department and RD department, NSVDBA responded but it did not hold any water. It asked NSVDBA if the amount was judiciously utilised and paid to beneficiaries.