Dimapur Congress alleges gaps in Agriculture Department procurement records, sets 10-day deadline

Dimapur

BY | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026

The Dimapur District Congress Committee (DCC) has accused the Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, of failing to provide complete records relating to the procurement and distribution of agricultural machinery, seeds and other agricultural inputs, despite directions issued by the First Appellate Authority on September 2, 2026.

In a statement, the DCC said the department’s incomplete disclosure had raised questions about procurement transparency, supplier selection, equipment pricing and the distribution of materials intended for farmers.

The Committee acknowledged that the department had furnished several supply orders, invoices and payment records but alleged that crucial documents, including tender notices, competitive quotations, comparative statements, purchase committee proceedings, stock registers, quality inspection reports and beneficiary distribution records, remained outstanding.

Questioning the procurement process, the DCC sought clarification on how suppliers were selected and whether competitive bidding and evaluation procedures were followed. It also called for specification-based price comparisons and independent scrutiny to establish value for public money.

The Committee further questioned whether the procured materials had reached the intended beneficiaries, stating that invoices and payment records alone could not establish actual receipt and distribution without stock verification and acknowledgements from beneficiaries.

It demanded disclosure of the applicable procurement rules, approvals, financial sanctions and quality certification records, along with a complete account reconciling procurement sanctions, invoices, GST records, payments and utilisation records.

The DCC called on the Director of Agriculture to explain why the outstanding information had not been furnished and urged the Advisor in charge of Agriculture to ensure accountability and order an independent examination of the transactions in question.

Stating that public funds meant for farmers cannot be shrouded in secrecy, the Committee said the public was entitled to know who received the contracts, how much was paid, what materials were supplied and whether the intended beneficiaries received them.

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The DCC has given the Director of Agriculture and the concerned Advisor 10 days, ending October 23, to ensure that all outstanding documents are provided and the procurement-related concerns addressed.

It also demanded independent verification of procurement procedures, supplier selection, equipment prices, stock records and beneficiary distribution.

The Committee warned that failure to comply would prompt it to launch sustained peaceful democratic protests, seek lawful sealing and independent stock verification of the Agriculture Department’s storehouse in Dimapur through the competent authorities, and initiate appropriate proceedings before the State Information Commission and other competent forums.

“Let it be clear: This is not merely a question of missing documents; it is a question of public accountability and the proper use of taxpayers’ money,” the statement said, adding that the DCC would pursue the matter until the outstanding information was disclosed and the concerns independently examined.