SIDF utilisation: Ering smells rat

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, June 21: Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering on Monday expressed concern over the ways and means the present government in Aruchal Pradesh is utilizing the State Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF)

“The SIDF is used as a powerful tool to bring holistic changes in infrastructure facilities of the state but the way the new state government is utilizing the amount has been totally under scanner,” the Congress MP from the state said in a letter to Chief Secretary Shakuntala D Gamlin, here.

“The revised budget estimate for 2015-16 prepared by the state government and the amount spent in last week of March this year is presenting a bad picture and losing transparency and accountability of the system,” Ering wrote in his letter.

Stating that the methods adopted by the government to allocate money to various departments including roads under the revised estimate without planning and survey was a clear sign of misuse of public funds for vested interests of a few individuals, the MP requested the chief secretary to look into the matter very closely and examine the issues connected with misuse of such large amount of funds meant for public welfare.

“A white paper on SIDF must be introduced and all the allocation of money and work made this year must be relooked and re-examined. In the era of e-governce and transparency, such misuse of funds under SIDF is highly demeaning and hence I request you to take concrete action on the same,” Ering added.

Meanwhile, after back to back reports of various engineering departments not following Governor’s order on cancellation of officiating, functiol and out of turn promotions surfaced in local dailies off late, Ering while taking serious exception also expressed his resentment over the same.

“Through reliable media sources, I have learnt that the government’s decree has been refused by various departments which have polarized officers. This non-compliance of government’s order is reportedly affecting work culture and discipline in the departments,” Ering in separate representations to Chief Minister Kalikho Pul and chief secretary wrote.

Referring to reports that the PHE department had appointed 19 EE/SWs, 23 AEs and 3 SEs illegally on functiol basis without creation of new posts while the 28 posts of EE/SW, 65 of AFs and 8 sanctioned posts of SEs are already filled, the MP also pointed out the claims made by PHE commissioner H K Shalla wherein he had claimed that PHED has fully implemented and complied the order by cancelling out of turn promotion and functiol officer

“The fact is in stark contradiction to the claims made by the commissioner as only three out of turn promoted officer were reverted to their origil posts while the rest are yet to be affected,” he added.  

Stating that deadline after deadline had expired following a decree’ pronounced by the governor but the departments are deliberately choosing to ignore and mock the order, the MP urged the chief minister and chief secretary to look into the matter seriously and take concrete actions to restore foundatiol values of procedural fairness in the government offices.

“The matter should be dealt strictly as whatever decision and order given by the governor under President Rule (PR) is supposed to be re-validated by the state government and accordingly the non-complying department(s) should be dealt with firm action,” Ering added.