MNF questions alleged missing fund, asks for probe

Newmai News Network
AIZAWL, MAY 26: The Mizo National Front’s vigilance cell on Saturday alleged an anomaly of Rs 304 lakh meant for construction of a tourist lodge. The MNF alleged that the fund was missing during the Congress rule in the state and demanded a probe into it.
MNF vigilance committee secretary, David R. Lalsawmtluanga told reporters that the erstwhile UPA government had sanctioned "cores of rupees" to the Mizoram government for various projects under Product Infrastructure Development for Destination Circuit (PIDDC) Scheme. However, when the NDA came to power in 2014, the remaining final installment amounting to more than Rs 40 crore was "delinked" by the Centre, he said.
“While many states continued with their projects despite the remaining installment being discontinued, the Mizoram government headed by Lal Thanhawla failed to carry on with the pending projects despite allocation of over Rs 1000 crore in its flagship programme- New Economic Development Programme (NEDP),”  David R. Lalsawmtluanga further alleged.  
The MNF leader then said that the Congress government issued a work order of Rs 3.37 core to Royal Engineering and Architectural Consultancy firm in February, 2014 for the construction of a tourist lodge in Khawzawl town of Champhai district. "But the project was halted mid-way due to non-receipt of fund," he added.
Lalsawmtluanga also alleged that the Congress government drew Rs 304.08 lakh from NEDP on the eve of assembly elections in 2018 for completion of the remaining 20 per cent of Khawzawl tourist lodge and six other projects.
“The Congress government did not resume the construction of the lodge nor constructed six other projects,” he also alleged.
David R. Lalsawmtluanga  then said that a resident of Khawzawl town identified as PC Chuauhnuna on Friday lodged complaint with the state’s Lokayukta, asking a probe into the alleged graft. Lalsawmtluanga also alleged that the Congress government misappropriated other funds. He sought thorough probes into the matters.