Former SKK presidents allege anomalies in state sports projects

A response to an RTI query has revealed that over Rs.500.93 crore had been spent for 72 different projects/schemes in Nagaland by the Youth Resources & Sports (Y&SR) department during the financial year 2009-10 to 2014-15. In a press release, five former presidents of All Sumi Students Union (SKK) including Aheto V. Yeputhomi, Hukavi T. Yeputhomi, Kitoho S. Rotokha, L. Khevishe Achumi and S. Zhevihe Sumi claimed that the RTI application filed by them revealed that out of the total projects/schemes implemented, five projects for the total amount of Rs. 13.38 crore (all released) were “either unaccounted or nonexistent or fictitious”.

They stated that Dimapur district availed 24 different projects out of which 17 projects/schemes were allotted to Sovima village alone for an estimated amount of Rs. 91.8 crore, whereas Tuensang and Longleng districts got two projects each for Rs. 2.50 crore each, Zunheboto two projects for Rs. 2.35 crore, Wokha two projects for an estimated amount of Rs. 1.50 crore and Kiphire got one project for Rs. 2 crore. (Table on p-7). “These facts are the hard realities of the (un)judicious implementation of developmental projects implemented by successive Government for the overall round development of the Sports infrastructure in particular in the State,” they said.

They said unless thorough analysis and probes were initiated in the random selection and allocation of projects, Nagaland could “never ever” produce eminent sports man and women even for centuries to come. 

“Such policy implementation, purely for self aggrandizement in the name of development has marginalized Naga societies beyond repair,” said former student leaders.