ITANAGAR, 6 Jul: The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) on Monday highlighted the three-point memorandum it had submitted to the chief minister, demanding an immediate investigation into the alleged misuse and misappropriation of more than Rs 121 crore in the Dari to Chambang road project; scrapping of prepaid electricity meter system with free electricity for domestic consumers; and de-reservation and rationalisation of forest land in the capital region.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, UAPF leaders said the government had failed to provide any concrete assurance despite the expiry of the 14-day ultimatum issued after the memorandum was submitted. The forum warned that if its demands remain unaddressed, it would launch a democratic movement.
Speaking on the first point of the memorandum, UAPF president Khyoda Daniel demanded an independent investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the construction of the Dari to Chambang road (38-40 km) in Kra Daadi district. He alleged that the same stretch of road had received repeated sanctions from both the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Government of India, “resulting in overlapping projects worth more than Rs 121 crore.”
Citing tender documents, Daniel claimed that a tender worth around Rs 39-40 crore listed six participating firms, including M/s BM Enterprise, M/s EMK Enterprise, Hills View Traders, RE Construction Pvt Ltd, M/s Tanner Engineering and Kakumi. He alleged that M/s BM Enterprise belongs to the brother of minister Balo Raja, and questioned the transparency of the tender process.
He further claimed that, although M/s Tanner Engineering reportedly emerged as the lowest bidder (L1), the contract was allegedly awarded to another firm. Daniel also alleged that the executive engineer of the Jamin division had not provided documents sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act despite repeated requests. He demanded an independent inquiry and announced that the forum would “conduct a ground visit to the road.”He invited media organisations to independently verify the project’s condition.
Speaking on the second point of the memorandum, UAPF finance secretary Tarh Gambo reiterated the forum’s demand for the immediate scrapping of the prepaid electricity meter system. He argued that,despite Arunachal Pradesh having an estimated hydropower generation potential of around 50,000-57,000 mw, domestic consumers continue to pay electricity charges ranging from Rs 4 to Rs 7 per unit. Comparing the state with Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Punjab, he claimed that those states provide electricity subsidies despite generating less power.
Gambo clarified that the proposal applies only to domestic consumers, and demanded “free electricity up to 1,000 units per household.” He further alleged that “prepaid meters are being installed in the absence of homeowners,” and questioned the functioning of the Information Technology (IT) Cell under the Department of Power, claiming it has created unnecessary administrative expenditure without benefitting the public.
He maintained that Arunachal’s land and rivers are being utilised for hydropower generation, and argued that local residents should receive direct benefits through free electricity. Appealing to the public to support the campaign against the prepaid meter system, Gombo warned that if the government fails to address the issue, the forum would intensify its democratic movement.
On the third point, Gambo called for the de-reservation and rationalisation of forest boundaries within the capital region and adjoining areas. According to him, residents living on land classified as reserved forest face difficulties in obtaining land possession certificates, land allotment, bank loans and other government benefits. He urged the government to expedite the de-reservation process and simplify land allotment procedures to ensure that ordinary citizens can obtain legal ownership documents and access government welfare schemes.
