Nagaland Chief Minister assures that appropriate action will be taken on those who are responsible for corruption.

NAGALAND Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is instituting inquiries into all financial irregularities committed during his predecessor Jamir’s regime. During a whirlwind tour of Mokokchung, Tuensang and Phek districts, Rio said all "corruption charges" including the ‘Rs. 38,000 crore’ lottery scam would be investigated.

The Chief Minister said the "previous government misused public funds and there was an abundance of financial irregularities."  Citing an example, he said the Centre sanctioned Rs 33 crore for the PHE department under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme, but the money was used for a different purpose.

"Delhi is not happy and has reminded that funds should not be misused." Rio said. He accused the Jamir regime of financial mismanagement in almost all the departments. The DAN government would ensure that appropriate action is taken on those who are responsible for corruption and mismanagement of public funds, he said.

The lottery scam, Rio said, involved Rs 38,000 crores. He said that his government would ensure that public funds are not misused but rather they would be used for the implementation of developmental projects as mentioned in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the DAN. Reiterated that his government is a genuine people’s government and it would practice true democracy.  Addressing government officials at Kiphire, Rio asked them to be sincere and ensure that the CMP is executed

"Our Government means business", the Chief Minister said and added that transparency and accountability in governance will be the touch stones.  "We need genuine development, not paper development." He disclosed that party workers have been advised to report to the Government on the progress of all developmental activities and management of public funds. It is time for Government officials to "gear up". 

K Therie, Finance Minister echoes the same message. He has warned that if any government official is found presenting false bills or is involved in financial irregularities he or she would be penalised.  On the creation of a department for the under developed areas, the Chief Minster said that it would have a separate budget with an engineering wing. An engineer would head the wing and it would also have two SDOs, one each for Mon and Tuensang districts.

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