Kohima: The Naga Mothers Association (NMA) has expressed unhapiness over the ‘failure’ of the Nagaland Government in taking action on their memorandum submitted to Governor Nikhil Kumar despite having apprised the minister concerned of the detection of various anomalies and misappropriation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) funds in Nagaland.
Addressing a press conference, NMA president Abeiü Meru, in the presence of NMA convener on NRHM Rosemary Dzüvichü and member Vilanuo Yhome, at her residence here last evening said they were yet to receive any reply from the government.
She said, “Our hope was that since we went to the highest office something positive would take place, but we are surprised that till now no intimation has been given or any action taken.”
Ms Meru said NMA had constituted a Committee on NRHM issue because it is one area which directly concerns the health of mothers and children.
She added that the last representation submitted to the Governor on March 3, 2012, was actually the follow up of the Community Monitoring on NRHM done by NMA on the offer of the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
However, she said they had later refused to continue as the Department released the funds only in February 2012 while the report was supposed to be submitted by March and there was not sufficient time to do justice.
The NMA also highlighted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Nagaland Government and the Centre for implementation of NRHM clearly states that the Mission Director of NRHM has to be from the IAS cadre and not less than the rank of a Joint Secretary.
Stating that the MoU terms are not being followed, they regretted that even after one and half month of submitting a memorandum to the Governor, no action has been taken.
The NMA also reiterated its allegation of funds being mis-utilised by the Department while stating that money is being rampantly drawn by the officers under NRHM on all kinds of excuses, including community monitoring.
Some doctors are even involved as contractors and suppliers, it further alleged.
Moreover, the NMA said there is misuse of funds in the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) Scheme.
Some are not being given the money and there are also cases of discrepancies even in the grant for birth of boy and girl child, the NMA alleged. (UNI)