ES reporter

ITANAGAR, Jul 4:The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee led Congress Assessment Committee for Trans-Arunachal Highway today alleged that Chief Minister Pema Khandu led BJP government particularly  Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein is involved in the multi-crore land compensation scam  from Potin to Bopi under Lower Subansiri District and Joram to Koloriang in Kurung Kumey District.  

Demanding immediate dropping of DCM Chowna Mein from his post, APCC General Secretary cum chairman of the said committee, Tamchi Tahar alleged that crores of compensation money has been siphoned off by the state BJP government in the name of land compensation.  He further alleged that three local BJP MLAs of the area are also involved in the land compensation scam.

Addressing reporters at press club,  Tahar further claimed that a close-door meeting was held under the chairmanship of DCM Chowna Mein on January 11 last, wherein it was decided to reduce the Right of Way (RoW) to 14 meters violating the norms of Detail Project Report (DPR) of the said project.

While alleging mismanagement in disbursement of land compensation, Tahar asserted that one Joram Tabia has received only Rs 7000 whereas his actual compensation amount as per record is Rs 19,93,600.

All these came to light after the Congress party conducted a field visit and enquired with the affected people of TAH, he added.

Decision to reduce RoW completely legal: Mein

ITANAGAR:Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that the allegations were baseless as the decision to reduce the RoW was taken with committee members, which included the PWD chief engineer, design and planning team, all officers of the department, including law officers.

“The decision was taken collectively under my chairmanship as several standing structures would be demolished. To avoid large-scale demolition, the decision was taken by the committee and it was not my sole decision", he said.

On whether such a decision could be initiated by the government, Mein informed that the decision was taken under the Arunachal Pradesh Road Regulation and Development Act, 2015, and is completely legal.

“As per the act, it is permissible under law to reduce the breadth of the road in urban areas. The Congress has no reason to blame the minister concerned. In fact, I have reduced the compensation amount and saved the government money.

Also, according to the Indian Road Congress, road specification is a guideline and not an act adopted by Parliament, and the specifications can be modified.  

“Why is the Congress trying to put the blame on us for reducing the compensation amount? They should instead be happy that we have saved government money and several standing structures”, added Mein.

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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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