ITANAGAR, Aug 31: Social activist Chopa Cheda has once again approached the Arunachal Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), alleging that no FIR has been registered so far on his complaint over the alleged misappropriation and siphoning of Rs 3 crore sanctioned for an eco-tourism project at Balemu in West Kameng district.
In a representation submitted to the ACB superintendent of police on August 29, Cheda sought immediate registration of an FIR and a probe into the withdrawal and utilisation of the funds, including verification of relevant banking, financial and departmental records.
The latest representation follows a complaint filed by Cheda with the anti-graft agency on August 24 against the then divisional forest officer (DFO) of Khellong Forest Division and presently serving as CEO of CAMPA. The allegations have not been independently verified.
According to the representation, records obtained under the Right to Information Act showed that a tender for the Balemu eco-tourism project was accepted in favour of M/s G R N Enterprises for Rs 2.93 crore. It alleged that a cheque dated March 24, 2022, for Rs 3 crore was, however, drawn in favour of “SELF” in connection with the work.
Cheda, also the president of Arunachal Publishers & Broadcasters Guild (APBG), further claimed that the proprietor of G R N Enterprises had stated in an October 14, 2024 communication that the firm had not received any amount or bill towards the tender, describing the circumstances as a discrepancy requiring investigation. The claim was also validated by Rinchin Norbu, the proprietor of M/s G R N Enterprises, who confirmed the sequence of events and said that although his firm had been awarded the contract, it had not received any payment for the work.
The representation also cited an inspection report dated July 24, 2025, concerning the physical status of the eco-tourism building and sought verification of the work actually executed against the government funds allegedly utilised.
Cheda said that despite submitting the original complaint along with supporting documents, he had neither been informed of any action taken nor learnt of an FIR being registered.
The controversy had surfaced earlier this month when Cheda lodged the initial complaint with the ACB, alleging irregularities in the handling of funds earmarked for the Balemu eco-tourism project.
He has now asked the anti-corruption agency to conduct a “fair and thorough” investigation and communicate the action taken on his complaint.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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