ITANAGAR, 22 Aug: Citizens Right Protection Forum (CRPF), Arunachal Pradesh has sought the removal of Vineet Kumar Jawal from the post of CEO of the state CAMPA within seven days and institution of an independent inquiry into the alleged irregularities in implementation of CAMPA works during his earlier tenure as divisional forest officer (DFO).
In a representation submitted to the of environment, forest & climate change minister, the forum's chairman Ajay Murtem alleged irregularities in implementation of net present value, artificial regeneration/assisted natural regeneration and compensatory afforestation works under the state CAMPA AOP 2020-21 at various locations falling under the then Khellong forest division/Pakke-Kessang area when he was serving as the DFO.
"It has been alleged by affected villagers/landowners that plantation activities and expenditure were reflected in official records even though villagers claimed that they were unaware of the execution of such works at certain locations," he said.
The allegations reportedly involve approximately Rs 89.89 lakh, which needs to be verified through original sanction orders, vouchers, bills, measurement, plantation records, geotagging data, bank payment records, and physical verification of the sites, Murtem said in the representation.
He stated also that a departmental field inspection was conducted on 22 April, 2025, covering seven locations - Sakum, Taal Chiya, Rupung Geka, Lhodoso, Bodha Geka, Fenye Happa and Langpung - and reportedly found no plantation at Taal Chiya and no sign of artificial plantation at Sakum. At several other inspected locations, including Rupung Geka, Bodha Geka, Fenye Happa, Lhodoso and Langpung, the grounding of plantation could not be established satisfactorily, he said.
"The inquiry should therefore examine whether the prescribed gram sabha/local community consultation, land availability certificates, consent, Forest Rights Act-related requirements and other statutory/administrative procedures, wherever applicable, were properly followed," the forum demanded.
The forum said also that the affected villagers and landowners have alleged that their traditional village lands were included for CAMPA activities without proper consultation.
Stating that geotagging and MIS entries are important mechanisms for verifying creation of CAMPA assets, the forum demanded that the original electronic data should be secured immediately.
"The competent authority may examine the original GPS coordinates and date/time metadata, geotagged photographs, CAMPA MIS entries, plantation journals and nursery/stock records, work completion certificates, inspection reports, bills and vouchers, payment and bank records, GST invoices and relevant GST returns of suppliers/contractors, wherever applicable, labour engagement/payment records, and utilisation certificates," Murtem said in the representation.
He said that Jawal's continuation as the CEO of the state CAMPA while his earlier CAMPA works are under departmental examination give rise to a reasonable apprehension of conflict of interest and independence of the inquiry.
"Removal/transfer pending inquiry should not be regarded as punishment or a determination of guilt. It would constitute an administrative safeguard to protect the credibility of the investigation and the officer himself from allegations of influencing the process," Murtem said.
He also demanded verification of Jawal's transfer and posting history, including reported transfer to Chandigarh in 2021-22. Reportedly, he did not join the transferred place of posting. In 2025, he was reportedly transferred to Dadra and Nagar Haveli and was relieved from Arunachal Pradesh, but subsequently returned to Arunachal in 2026, following another transfer/posting arrangement, Murtem said.
"Being an All India Service officer, compliance with lawful cadre/deputation/transfer and posting orders is an important component of administrative discipline," he said, and urged the competent authority to obtain the complete service and posting records.
He further demanded verification of the officer's reported retention of government accommodation in Namdapha.
Murtem said it is important to examine the circumstances under which an officer whose earlier CAMPA-related works were reportedly under examination came to be entrusted with the financially and administratively sensitive position of the CEO of the state CAMPA.
The forum warned that it would be compelled to resort to democratic movement if its demands are not met.
