Newmai News Network
Ukhrul, Dec 12: The Rising People’s Party (RPP) alleged today that, over the years, the Hornbill Festival has mutated into a giant money laundering enterprise. “To his credit, it can be said that CM Rio did single-handedly put Nagaland on the world tourism map, but it has come at a huge cost,” the Nagaland-based political party said.
According to media reports, for the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, the NDPP-BJP coalition sanctioned Rs. 100 crores for “infrastructure development” at Kisama, the RPP statement said. “100 crores is not a small amount. In a case of classic money laundering, the coalition government demolished the spanking pavilion/rostrum at Kisama Heritage Village and built a new one at the highly inflated cost of Rs. 52 crore”, the RPP informed.
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“In stark contrast, the NFHRCC had to issue an ultimatum to the state government for the release of Rs. 145 crores for the construction of the foothill road,” the RPP also said. “Recently, the DUCCF had decried the lack of roads and the crumbling infrastructure in Dimapur,” it added.
The RPP then said that the opposition-less government has no respect for public sentiments. The Town Hall at Dimapur Supermarket is being ‘renovated’ at the mind-boggling amount of Rs. 18 crores – an amount which could have easily built a new world-class facility, whereas, the Old Fly-Over, Dimapur, was sanctioned the measly amount of Rs. 2 crores for renovation works, the RPP added. “Dimapur needs several new flyovers and better basic amenities yet the misplaced priority of this government and its laundering skill is astounding,” it stated.
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According to sources, the Town Hall and the Kisama works were given to the same contractor.
The RPP then demanded that the state government provide a full account of the Rs.100 crores spent at Kisama and the revenue generated. “In short, the entire state has become one giant money laundering ecosystem,” it further said.
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