State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has reacted to the claim of Chang Students’ Union Tuensang Town (CSUTT) that Rs. 9 crore allotted for the relocation of District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Tuensang was never implemented.
In a press release, SCERT director Vipralhou Kesiezie clarified that till date all amount that had been sanctioned by Ministry of Human Resource Department (MHRD) and received by the department for various DIETs including Tuensang was not drawn or utilised by the department in any manner.
Further, clarifying on the issue, SCERT director said DIET Tuensang was handed over to the SCERT in the year 1990-91 from the directorate of school education as the erstwhile JTTI was upgraded to the DIET by the MHRD.
At the time of handing over, Vipralhou said SCERT was told that two big buildings along with five staff quarters belonged to JTTI, Tuensang. However, the director said in no time the staff quarters were occupied by private individuals.
He said even the premises of the institute was encroached upon by several private parties.
According to director, the then principal of DIET, Tuensang lodged several complaints with the DC Tuensang, but no action was taken by the concerned authority.
The director said SCERT proposed for expansion of the DIET Tuensang and got the approval of MHRD in the year 2012-13.
As the space now available with the DIET was too small, he said the department proposed to dismantle the existing building and re-build multi storey buildings as per the requirement of the DIET since suitable land in Tuensang was very difficult to get.
However, Vipralhou said the Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU) opposed the proposal and pressurised the department to shift to another place by serving the department with an ultimatum.
He said in response to the demands, the department tried its best to identify an alternative site.
He said the department had requested DC Tuensang vide letter dated September 5, 2014 to assist the department for 5 acres of land. Department had even requested the CCSU to assist the Department to identify a suitable land, however, no communication has been received from them till date, SCERT director said.
Stating that he had personally visited Tuensang in the month of November 2014 to select a suitable site, director said proposals received from Nyanpong village and Loyem College were found not suitable for the DIET, hence it was turned down.
Director said he had also received proposal from two land owners near Sao Chang College, adding that the site was found suitable on inspection. However, he said the landowners demanded that all construction work as well as Grade IV staff post be given to them.
Department expressed its inability to meet their demands but negotiated with them for 50% of the contract works, said Vipralhou.
However, he said while the department was negotiating with the land owners, the former parliamentary secretary and the chief engineer issued work orders to two different parties.
Having deprived of their demands, director said land owners withdrew their offer.
Therefore, the director said the department was now left without finalisation of the site for DIET, Tuensang despite work orders being issued by chief engineer (PWD).
Disclosing that department has therefore written to the government to cancel the work orders and re-float the tenders so it could renegotiate with the land owners, he said till date no information has been communicated to the SCERT.
Meanwhile, director pointed out that the department vide letter dated August 28, 2015 again directed the principal DIET Tuensang to coordinate with DC Tuensang and CCSU to select a new site for the institute.
SCERT has informed that for any clarification on the issue all relevant documents relating to the matter could be obtained from the department for scrutiny on any working days.