Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, 10 Sep: The All Aka Youth Association (AAYA) on Thursday alleged large-scale financial and administrative irregularities in the implementation of works under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme in Khellong forest division of West Kameng district.

Addressing reporters at the press club here, AAYA president Musho Gedisow claimed that Rs 31.87 crore sanctioned to the Forest Department under Volume I and II for 2025-26 may have been misused,and demanded an impartial investigation.

"Of the 10 soil and moisture conservation walls sanctioned under Volume I and II, only six have been constructed. We have also found irregularities in the artificial plantation works," Gedisow alleged.

He also flagged alleged discrepancies in the disbursement of CAMPA funds meant for casual and contingency workers.

Gedisow claimed that the bank account details of a range forest officer (RFO) were allegedly entered against the names of 47 beneficiaries instead of their individual bank accounts.

"In Tipi range under Bhalukpong circle, 22 beneficiaries were listed, but the bank account details provided against them allegedly belonged to the RFO.

Around Rs 47.52 lakh was transferred to that account over 12 months," he claimed.

Similarly, Gedisow alleged that in Kaminbari, the same bank account details were provided against 21 beneficiaries and Rs 12.06 lakh was transferred over five months.

"In Rota range too, the RFO's bank account details were allegedly shown against four beneficiaries, and Rs 23.63 lakh was transferred. This is total injustice. The money was meant for 47 employees," he alleged.

Gedisow said the association has submitted representations detailing the alleged irregularities to the forest and environment minister, the principal chief conservator of forests, CAMPA chief executive officer and the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

"We want a thorough and impartial investigation. The DFO and RFO should be transferred during the probe, so that there is no possibility of influencing official records," he said.

Gedisow said the association has also sought appropriate action against those responsible if the allegations are established during the investigation.

There was no immediate response from the officials concerned to the allegations.