March 27th, 2016

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www.morungexpress.com

SunDAY • MArch 27 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 83 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project … to colonize earth with the life of heaven 61% households practice shifting cultivation in Nagaland annually

Syrian army pushes into Palmyra PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

— N.T. Wright

Kiwis crush Bangladesh, top World T20 Group 2

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PAGE 12

Mid Day Meal scheme starved by ‘pilferage’? • CAG report says “possibility of pilferage of the food grains cannot be ruled out” • School education dept in their response claim “poor maintenance of records & lack of training” • CAG recommends conduct of “independent investigation and take administrative actions against officials found guilty” Morung Express News Dimapur | March 26

under the MDM from two firms. However, the same was not disbursed and the utensils were stored in two official go-downs of the Directorate of School Education (DSE), Kohima. As per the position of stock and value as on the date of verification (August 2015), the two go-downs had 1000 big sized aluminum cooking pots at a bill value of Rs 20.40 lakh, around 25,000 steel plates of standard size at a bill value of Rs 13.25 lakh and 25,000 steel cups of standard size at a bill value of Rs 8.50 lakh. The sum total of the bill which amounts to Rs 44, 15,000 when added with 13.25% Value Added Tax (VAT) of Rs 5, 84,988 come to a grand total of Rs 49, 99,988. In a critical remark, the CAG report said non distribution of MDM cooking utensils not only blocked central assistance funds but had “adverse effect on implementation of the scheme as 72 schools reported insufficient cooking pots/plates during physical verification.” On this, the department

The quality and health of primary school educaI took the money, but I didn’t tion as envisaged by the keep it for myself. I used it to Mid Day Meal Scheme, a bribe some of my staff!!! centrally sponsored programme covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013 is being sacrificed under the altar of middlemen’s greed. In a disconcerting revelation, hoarding of cooking utensils, short receipt of food grains by schools CITIZEN UMBRELLA indicating possible pilferage, deducted honorariCITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 ums for cook-cum-helpPh. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 ers have been detected in Fax : (033) 2271-2151 E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com the Mid Day Meal (MDM) Scheme under the School Education Department, Nagaland by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) as mentioned in its report on the social, economic, revenue and DIMAPUR, MARCH general sectors of Naga26 (MExN): Council land State. of Nagalim Churches The damning report (CNC) has invoked all highlighted that the decitizens, pastors of all partment procured (Januchurches, leaders of all ary and November 2013) church organizations, kitchen utensils valued at associations, synods, Rs 50 lakh for distribution parishes, councils, leaders of all civil societies, among schools covered NGOs, missions to hold formal fasting and prayer on April 3, 2016 seeking God’s guidance in the ongoing Indo-Naga political talk. In a press statement, CNC through its general secretary, Rev Morung Express News Seksim Kasar has apDimapur | March 26 pealed all concerned to earnestly plead for God’s presence and interven- “Peace is the absence of dition in every sitting of rect/personal violence and Indo-Naga political talk the presence of social justice.” and that an honourable This definition of peace by Joand acceptable solu- han Galtung was highlighted tion arrives in 2016. It by Dr. Achan Mungleng, Inalso called for prayers dependent Researcher, while that the remaining Naga discussing the core concepts Political Groups (NPGs) of peace and the importance are united in the solution of peace education, during a process for peaceful liv- workshop on Equality and Eming of the Nagas; that all powerment. It was organised by IndigNagas are able to come together and live to- enous Women Forum North gether as one nation and East India (IWFNEI), Naga pray for the well-being Women Hoho and Naga Inof Meitei people, Assam digenous Women Association and Arunachal people (NIWA) in collaboration with so that they may also live Henry Martyn Institute (HMI), peacefully with the Naga Hyderabad, from March 22 to as good neighbors. 26 at Don Bosco Center, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur. Dr. Mungleng asserted that peace is the absence of direct, organised and physical violence as well as the absence of structural violence, and emDIMAPUR, MARCH phasized the promotion of hu26 (MExN): NSCN-Ref- man rights to ensure a compreormation has informed hensive notion of social justice. The core idea of peace eduall workers-both civil and military to observe cation is to learn about peace March 28 as ‘Black day’ and to learn for peace leading to mark the “betrayal act to change in mindset/thought of SS Khaplang.” An MIP process. Calling for education statement stated that on to be a transformative process, March 28, 2015, SS Khap- Dr. Mungleng stated that “it cullang, one time father of tivates knowledge base, skills, all “betrayed all his loyal attitudes and values that seek to workers by unilateral transform people’s mindset, attiabrogation of ceasefire tudes and behaviour that, in the with the Government of first place, have either created or India without consulting exacerbated violent conflicts.” his cabinet and NSCN Transformation can be imparty.” “All the ranks and plemented by building awarefiles of NSCN-Refor- ness and understanding (cogmation should not for- nitive), developing concern get the living God who (affective) and challenging perrestored lost kingdom. sonal and social action that will Hence, everyone should enable people to live, relate and kneel down and thank create conditions and systems the creator,” the state- that actualise nonviolence, jusment also read. tice, environmental care and

Pray and fast for Indo-Naga political talks on April 3: CNC

T R u T H

Short-receipt of food grains in Metric Tonnes Quantity in kilogram

Total quantity Total quantity Number of distributed as received as Short receipt Schools per SDEO’s per records of by Schools record the Schools 1 Kohima 15 1,68,654 63,671 1,04,983 2 Chiephobozou 7 59,814 22,440 37,414 3 Dimapur 21 3,09,854 1,35,600 1,74,254 4 Niuland 6 88,852 35,950 52,902 5 Mon 20 4,65,379 81,414 3,83,965 6 Aboi 8 1,06,563 92,278 14,285 7 Shamator 6 49,201 32,250 16,951 Total 83 12,48,317 4,63,563 7,84,754 As published in the CAG report and sourced to: Departmental and School records Name of the SN SDEO

Short-receipt of cook-cum-helpers honorarium in lakhs

Amount received as per Name of the Short receipt records of SN SDEO by Schools the selected Schools 1 Kohima 14 4,40,000 1,00,560 3,39,440 2 Chiephobozou 6 2,81,000 88,000 1,93,000 3 Dimapur 7 4,41,951 1,74,000 2,67,951 4 Niuland 20 8,00,000 1,04,400 6,95,600 5 Mon 19 9,75,156 2,34,000 7,41,156 6 Shamator 7 3,58,000 1,08,000 2,50,000 Total 73 32,96,107 8,08,960 24,87,147 As published in the CAG report and sourced to: Departmental and School records Amount Number of distributed as Schools per records of SDEOs

contended that the delay in distribution of the materials was due to non-receipt of replacement list. However, the CAG report pointed out that the materials were procured without assessing the field requirements. It should be mentioned that the MDM scheme envisages assistance for provision and replacement of kitchen devices in a phased manner, at an average cost of Rs 5000 per school. Financial Rules provide that purchase of stores shall be made in ac-

cordance with definite requirements and care shall be taken not to purchase stores much in advance of actual requirement.

83 schools received only 463.56 MT food grains against 1248.31 MT

The CAG report has also revealed short-receipt of food grains by selected schools. The scheme guidelines envisage that food grains as per norm should be released to the schools expeditiously for smooth imple-

This means, 784.75 MT of food grains valued at Rs 44.34 lakh was short received by the selected 83 schools which adversely impacted in providing mid-day meal to the eligible school children, the CAG report noted. The report said 15 schools under SDEO Kohima, 7 under Chiephobozou, 21 under Dimapur, 6 under Niuland, 20 under Mon, 8 under Aboi and 6 under Shamator were short-receipt of food grains. The shortfall in estimated coverage of MDM on account of non-disbursement of food grains for eligible school children work out to 63%, the report calculated. Also pointing out that the “possibility of pilferage of the food grains cannot be ruled out,” the report stated that the “matter requires further investigation.” The department claimed that the “short receipt was due to poor maintenance of records by the school teachers who were not properly trained and frequent changes of MDM teacher-incharge.” The CAG in apparent disbelief of the response pointed out that - “yet again an attempt to cover up the lapse of maintenance of records does not require any extraordinary skill and training.”

mentation of the scheme so as to enable serving of good quality of cooked meal to the eligible children on all school working days. Examination of records of 120 schools under eight selected Sub-Divisional Education Officer (SDEOs) revealed that 83 schools, during 2010-2015, received 463.56 Metric Tonnes (MT) Rs 24.87 lakh honorarium of food grains against re- for cook-cum-helpers corded disbursement of deducted from 73 schools 1248.31 MT as per records Even the honorariums of the SDEOs concerned, meant for cook-cum-helpthe report stated. ers of Rs 1000 per month

have not been spared. The CAG revealed that 73 schools in six SDEOs (out of 8 selected) received “less” cook-cum-helpers honorarium than shown as disbursed by the SDEOs. The honorarium was disbursed in cash by the SDEOs to the schools in contravention to the provisions in the guidelines which envisages etransfer of fund. The short-receipt amount of Rs 24.87 lakh by the selected schools, which is 75.56% of the total honorarium, had “adversely affected in implementation of the scheme as the cooks did not perform their duties on all school working days due to non/less receipt of honorarium, as reported by the schools authorities during joint physical verification,” the CAG reported. Again, the department, in the report, blamed the short receipt of the honorarium as “due to poor maintenance of records by the school teachers who were not properly trained and frequent changes of MDM teacher-in-charge.”

Recommendations

CAG has recommended that an independent investigation be conducted to find out the reasons for short receipt/discrepancies in receipt of cooking cost, transportation cost, food grains and honorariums for cook-cum-helpers across the State and take administrative actions against those officials found guilty.

‘Peace’ is the absence of personal Collective approach needed for violence, presence of social justice Indo-Naga political solution: YTC

March 28 to be observed as ‘Black Day’: NSCN-R

C M Y K

DIMAPUR, MARCH 26 (MExN): The Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC) on Saturday appealed to all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) to bear in mind the collective approach in order to find an honourable solution acceptable to all and which must be sincerely explored exclusively with all crosssections of the Naga people. Stating that “this public appeal as stakeholders also carries a political mandatory statement which should not be overlooked and surpassed,” YTC president, Keozih in a press statement said a consensus political approach

Ramesh Moon from the Henry Martin Institute, Hyderabad sharing a point on the concluding day of the 5-day workshop at the Don Bosco Center, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

other peace values (active), highlighted Dr. Mungleng. A dialogue initiative between men and women in relation to women’s role in social, cultural, and economic governance issues where representatives from Naga Missionary Movement, Naga Hoho, Dimapur Naga Council, NPMHR, DNSU and women members from various organizations participated on March 24. The dialogue was moderated by Ramesh Moon from HMI, Hyderabad. The dialogue deliberated upon the areas where Naga women’s participation or engagement has increased over the last decades, the changes in the roles women and their participation in economic, social, political, cultural, and religious lives. The representatives were divided into four groups and given time to discuss given concerns. Further deliberations ensued in the sectors that have less women’s participation or engagement- media, male dominated organisations, politics, and the position taken by indigenous peoples

forum internationally related to women’s participation in economic, social, political and religious areas. Viewing that considerable progress has taken place over the last few decades, the representative cited the various areas such as education, religion, administrative, security, traffic police, entrepreneurs in various fields, both in urban and rural areas, has seen the progress of women in the past few years. Women are faring “much better than” men in the hospitality sector, tourism, and activism viewed some of the representatives. Others viewed that Naga women involved in civil society are better in peace process, peace activities and good in decision making. Apart from the various examples in entertainment, sports, music and professions where Naga women are excelling, the dialogue highlighted the absence of women in some of the most important institutions of society such as the Nagaland State Assembly or most decision making bodies in towns or villages.

and a model build upon it should be a base for the different political groups in broad-based consultations with all stakeholders. “And for which the different standards of positive and unbiased opinions, stands, and initiatives of the different groups should not be politically ignored,” it added. The YTC pointed out that working in contradiction to the above approach and adopting the policy of exclusiveness amongst the different NPGs may lead to repeating the painful and unpleasant past, and to which the Nagas must not succumb.

“Devoid of political consensus and broad-based consultations amongst all sections of the Nagas would be self-inflicting and may consequently compel into leaving the socio-political fate and future of the Nagas at the hands of uncertainty of dark clouds hanging over our heads like the Sword of Damocles,” it maintained. The Government of India is fundamentally reminded in good faith that the opinions and voices of the common people should be seriously considered in a democratic and republic country like India, the YTC also stated.

Part 1: Financial performance of Nagaland State during 2014-15 • CAG finds 307 incomplete projects in 24 departments • CAG recommends ‘timely & effective’ implementation of projects Our Correspondent Kohima | March 26

During the current year, the fiscal deficit decreased due to the combined effect of decrease in capital expenditure and increase in revenue surplus. As a result, the primary surplus also increased as compared to the previous year. Besides, during the last five years the fiscal deficit continued with a fluctuating trend. This was stated in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on State Finances for the year ended 31 March 2015 which was tabled in the recently concluded State Assembly session in Kohima. Revenue receipts: During 2014-15, out of the total revenue receipts of Rs. 7648.67 crore, 91 per cent of the total revenue i.e. Rs. 6991.72 crore came from the Gov-

ernment of India as central transfers Rs. 1062.68 core (14 per cent) and grants-in-aid Rs. 5929.04 crore (77 per cent). The State, however, achieved the total revenue collection target fixed by the XIII Finance Commission 2014-15. Revenue expenditure: The overall revenue expenditure of the State increased by Rs. 1012.07 crore (17.60 per cent) over the previous year. The revenue expenditure constituted 86.85 per cent of total expenditure while the expenditure incurred under capital head constituted 13.14 per cent and loans & advances constituted 0.01 per cent. The report stated that there were 307 incomplete projects (estimated cost Rs. 2881.53 crore and actual expenditure incurred Rs. 1319.87 crore as of March 2015) pertaining to 24 departments. Out of the 307 incomplete projects, 213 projects (estimated cost Rs. 1990.40 crore and actual expenditure Rs. 863.09 crore) were due to be completed by March 2015 but remained incomplete as of October 2015 and 2 projects (estimated cost Rs. 10.93 crore and actual expenditure Rs.

8.63 crore) had been suspended/ abandoned. The report stated that due to delay in completion of the projects, the intended benefits from those projects did not reach the beneficiaries in the State. The date of completion in respect of 43 projects could not be furnished by the departments and in respect of the remaining 49 projects, completion is not due as on March 31, 2015. The report also stated that development expenditure of Rs. 3254.56 crore in 2010-11 had increased to Rs. 4491.58 crore in 2014-15. However, its share in aggregate expenditure had shown a fluctuating trend during 2010-15. The ratio of development expenditure as a proportion to aggregate expenditure had decreased by 0.44 per cent in 2014-15 as compared to the previous year. The share of committed expenditure on the non-plan revenue expenditure was 85.60 per cent of the revenue receipts. It recommended that Nagaland State needs to ensure timely and effective implementation of incomplete projects.


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March 27th, 2016 by The Morung Express - Issuu