Arunachal Pradesh: Did Khandu Govt swindle Rs 35 cr central funds meant for flood protection work

The AARTIAA has alleged that it is yet to get a desired response from the SIC with whom a complaint has been filed as well as from Chief Minister Pema

Are funds released by the Centre for mitigating erosion of river banks during floods being siphonned off in Arunachal Pradesh?
According to the All Arunachal RTI Activists Association (AARTIAA) gross financial irregularities have occurred in the name of flood protection works on the left banks of the Siang river on the Mebo side.
The AARTIAA has alleged that not a single work has been done to mitigate the perennial issue of erosion caused due to heavy floods. It further said that central funds to the tune of Rs 35 crore has been swindled.
Speaking to Northeast Live, AARTIAA president Tania June Laah said, “We had filed an RTI with Water Resource Department Pasighat division regarding flood protection in Mebo constituency. At least 6-7 human settlements are there (on the left bank of Siang river at Mebo side), but tracts of land have been eroded by the Siang river every year where there is a flood. Looking at the situation the Centre had released a fund of Rs 35 crore but not a single structure has been set up there.”
The AARTIAA has alleged that no work has been executed to serve the purpose of the funds.
Tania June Laah said, “We went for a site visit on August 16 and we found nothing there (to protect land erosion by the Siang river).”
The AARTIAA president alleged that a desired response is still awaited from the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) Arunachal Pradesh Police as well as Chief Minister Pema Khandu even after the matter has been raised with both the stakeholders.
“After returning we filed an FIR with the SIC. 2 months have passed but there has been no response. We also lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister, but no communication has been made to us. So we are demanding an immediate inquiry into the matter,” Tania June Laah added.
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned Rs 35 crore for the flood and erosion control project in Mebo sub-division under East Siang district way back in August 2019.
The DoNER had informed Arunachal Pradesh Government about the administrative and financial sanction (AFS) for one-time Central financial assistance for re-building of damaged infrastructure by the floods in 2017.
The project covers renovation of infrastructure, anti-erosion and flood protection works at Sigar, Ralling, Motum, Kiyit, Borguli, Seram, Kongkul, Namsing, Gadum and Mer villages under the Mebo sub-division.

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