Kohima, June 18: The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) on has accused the Nagaland government of delaying the construction of a 100-bed girls’ hostel at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, despite corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds having been sanctioned and partially released more than two years ago.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima on June 17, ANCSU leaders alleged that the project has remained stalled due to the government’s failure to grant the necessary administrative approval.

The union said REC Ltd. had sanctioned ₹3.52 crore for the hostel under its CSR initiative and released the first instalment of ₹1.05 crore on April 12, 2023. However, construction has yet to begin, with ANCSU claiming that the state government has not issued a written approval for the project.

Describing the delay as a serious setback for women students, the student body termed the government’s inaction “administrative apathy” towards higher education infrastructure and student welfare.

ANCSU further pointed out that it had served a 20-day ultimatum to the government on May 26 seeking action on the issue, but received no response after the deadline expired.

Warning of agitation, the union said it would be compelled to launch democratic protests if the Chief Minister’s Office failed to take immediate steps to clear the project.

The proposed hostel is expected to address accommodation shortages faced by female students at one of Nagaland’s premier science colleges.