Rio landed the State in a deficit of Rs 1234 Crores after which he fled to Delhi - TR Zeliang
Source: NPF Press Bureau *

Mon/Longwa/Aboi, February 20 2018: Terming the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) as a Party engaged in 'politics without agenda,' Chief Minister TR Zeliang today came down hard on Rio and his newly floated Party while campaigning at Mon, Longwa and Aboi under Mon Distrcit.

'The Manifesto of NDPP is TR Zeliang as Rio has been talking only about me and nothing more during his entire Campaign across the State,' he said.

Dubbing the NDPP Party as one similar to an 'un-recognized Village' with a 'global symbol' and a 'nationalist name,' the Chief Ministerial candidate of the NPF Party said that the newly floated NDPP Party was least bothered about the Nagas.

On his qualification issue which Rio's has been picking from day one of NDPP's Campaign, Zeliang clarified that he had never produced any fake certificate unlike the former.

'Unlike Rio who had produced fake BA Honours Certificate while contesting for Lok Sabha MP Seat, I had never produced any fake Certificate,' he declared.

Rio landed the State in a deficit of Rs 1234 Crores after which he fled to Delhi - TR Zeliang

Zeliang narrated how a false Certificate was enclosed with Rio's nomination papers during the Lok Sabha election in 2014 which later came up in North Police Station, Kohima for investigation.

Rio had then blamed his Personal Secretary for obtaining a fake Certificate while the Principal and Vice Principal of Kohima College were made to apologize publicly, he recalled.

'It was not he alone that had committed an offense but in the process, he had forced others to lie for him,' Zeliang added.

While stating that Rio during his Chief Ministership for 11 years, declared International Trade Centre in Longwa, Pangsha, Avangkhu 'without any road connectivity,' Zeliang likened it to 'a dried up river where the people of Mon District were sent for fishing' .

'There was no sanction but he allotted the works to his men where fund was drawn against half done works,' he said while adding that his Government had however brought sanction for the same and work was in progress at present.

On corruption during Rio's tenure as Chief Minister, Zeliang elucidated that it was Rio who had 'landed the State in a deficit of Rs.1234 Crores after which he left for Delhi' .

'Government Fund was utilized to build Noune Resort, Niathu Resort while escalation for construction of Cricket Stadium increased from 25 Crores to 75 Crores which was build on his own land at Sovima after purchasing it at a high cost,' he said.

Also making mention of various developmental activities, particularly road connectivity taking place in Mon District, the NPF Chief Ministerial Candidate cited the following major Road Projects in Mon District: .

1. Consultancy services for preparation of Feasibility Study and DPR for 2-laning of Longleng-Longching-Mon-Tizit-Namtola (NH-702) which is underway (Rs.6.05 Crore sanctioned by the Ministry for consultancy services) .

2. Consultancy services for preparation of Feasibility Study and DPR for 2-laning of Aboi - Tuensang (NH-702B-104 Kms) which is under Tendering process (Rs.4.41 Crore already sanctioned by the Ministry for consultancy services) .

3. Consultancy services for Preparation of Feasibility Study and DPR for 2-laning of Trans Eastern Highway along Mon-Longwa-Pangsha-Kiphire-Avangkhu (280 Kms) which in principle has been approved as a National Highway and is under Tendering process (Rs.11.86 sanctioned by the Ministry for consultancy services) .

4. Ministry has approved in principle for another National Highway from Ramani Ali Simulguri-Bihubar (Assam) to Mon District (71 Kms) and Tendering process is on.

5. SARDP-NE 100 Kms length Road from Merangkong-Tamlu-Mon is being taken up by NHIDCL while consultancy and preparation of DPR by M/s RITES is in progress.

Also making mention of other important Road Projects, the NPF Chief Ministerial Candidate cited Projects in Mon District which included the follolwing: .

1. In Mon District altogether 333 kms roads under various schemes by the Nagaland Roads & Bridges Deptt is in good progress.

There are 62.60 Kms under ISC, 101 Kms under NLCPR and 169.20 Kms under PMGSY.

2. Construction of 4 (four) major bridges in the existing Tizit - Khonsa (Arunachal) road under CRF which is in good progress.

3. Construction of Road from Tizit to Nokzang via Yanpan, Sukho and Yaukun (32.60 Kms) under ISC amounting to Rs.34.78 Crores in Mon Division where 70% of the works has been completed.

4. Construction of Road from Chen HQs to Wangti (23.10 Kms) under NLCPR at an estimated cost of Rs.24.50 Crores where 70% of the work has been completed.

5. Improvement of various Roads in Mon District under PM's Package, altogether 53 Kms amounting to Rs.23.78 Crores under NLCPR which is nearing completion (95% completed) .

'Unlike other political parties, we are highlighting what is taking place and not what will take place,' Zeliang told the gathering there amidst claps and applause.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at npfpressbureau(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com .