NEC cancels Kohima orphanage project

July 22, 2021 65 Views No Comment

State govt asked to refund money with accrued interest

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Advisor to CM urges govt to intervene

DIMAPUR, JUL 22 (NPN) :Adviser to chief minister Abu Metha has urged chief minister Neiphiu Rio to address the issue of North Eastern Council (NEC) cancelling ongoing infrastructure development project at Kohima Orphanage & Destitute Home worth around Rs. 2.84 crore.

In a letter to the chief minister, which was also posted on his twitter handle, Metha pointed out that the orphanage sheltered around a hundred children, who lived under very challenging conditions. Hence, he termed NEC’s decision to terminate the ongoing project as very unfortunate.

According to the letter, the council had sanctioned and approved the project christened “Infrastructure Development at Kohima Orphanage Home” in 2017-18 and had released the first instalment of fund towards the project. The State government had also released its share to ensure smooth implementation of the project. And, as per reports of the department concerned, the progress was good with 30% of the works having been completed.

However, Metha said NEC through an office memorandum in May 2020 had declared the project closed “as is where is as per the approval of the Competent Authority”. The memorandum even asked the State government to refund the money with accrued interest.

Subsequently, the social welfare department wrote to the planning department urging it to take up the matter with “the competent authority” for reconsidering closure of the project.

Mentioning that the unfinished structure stood like a sore thumb at the heart of the orphanage as an abandoned building, the adviser said its management was unable to approach “the competent authority” and had explained their predicament with tears to him during his recent visit.

Metha observed that the matter seemed to have been handled in a very insensitive manner with little regard for the welfare of unfortunate orphans and underprivileged children.

“This matter seems to have been handled in a very insensitive manner with little regard for the welfare of the unfortunate orphans and underprivileged children. The Honorable Chief Minister may kindly address this matter with a humanitarian approach and resolve the issue,” he added.
Officials from the Planning and Social Welfare departments informed this correspondent that the matter was reportedly taken up with the NEC. However, no further details could be divulged.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/nec-cancels-kohima-orphanage-project/236768.html