Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, August 11:
InThe Nagaland People�s Front (NPF) has refuted the allegations made by a Congress Party leader that it had nexus with the NSCN-IM.
The NPF reacted sharply to the slew of allegations levelled against Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Govt by former Rajya Sabha member and AICC secretary in-charge, Nagaland, Ms.Mabel Rebello, appearing in a section of local press recently.
Clarifying allegations that things deteriorated in the past 18 months, the NPF in a press communiqu� issued by its secy gen, Chubatemjen Ao, said had Ms.Rebello visited the State two years back, she would have now felt the difference.
The NPF claimed the DAN Govt after it came to power took up several developmental projects including construction of new buildings and institutions in record time, improving the condition of roads which resulted in prevalence of a peaceful atmosphere mainly in Dimapur and Kohima where shops and other business establishments remained open till late hours.
The release said all these developmental progresses could be made due to judicious spending of funds and hence there was no question of siphoning off funds.
The NPF also refuted allegation about DAN- NSCN (IM) nexus and reiterated Govt�s equi-closeness with all Naga underground factions.
It asked Ms.Rebello to spell out how she was planning to make DAN pay for its nexus with NSCN (IM) and teaching Rio a lesson.
However, the NPF appreciated Ms.Rebello for her anxiety over delay in finding a solution to the Naga issue and hoped Ms.Rebello could be a useful tool in finding an acceptable and honourable solution at the earliest.
On allegations about utilization of District Plan Funds, the party said the government had to clear a back-log of Rs 30 crore left by the previous Congress government, which, NPF alleged, could not even provide funds for the DPF.
The NPF also clarified one time grant of Rs 365 crore sanctioned by the previous Central government was utilized only for clearing liabilities created by Cong in the state.
The party also reminded Ms.Rebello that she had no authority whatsoever to direct the Central Govt to release more funds or not to release any funds.
Disowning its hand in defection in Congress, the party said some Congress legislators joined DAN purely due to clarity in DAN government�s policies and programmes which were clearly spelt in its CMP.
Regarding presentation of deficit budget, the party reminded that it was opposition Cong which had acknowledged the genuineness of the deficit budget and had also withdrawn cut motions and therefore, the release said there was no of White Paper.