Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : The Joint Action Committee (JAC) has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), demanding immediate and time-bound action in connection with two alleged multi-crore financial irregularity cases linked to the Fisheries Department and the Palin Treasury, while expressing concern over delays in investigation and prosecution.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Friday, JAC issue chairman Takam Chacha voiced dissatisfaction over what he described as the slow pace of action despite the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) and ongoing investigations. He called for a fair, transparent and time-bound probe into the cases.
According to the JAC, one of the cases relates to alleged financial irregularities in the Fisheries Department during the period from 2012-13 to 2016-17. Citing FIR No. 01/2018 registered by the Special Investigation Cell (Vigilance), Itanagar, Chacha alleged that while the government had sanctioned Rs 16.37 crore, an additional Rs 35 crore was allegedly withdrawn, resulting in expenditure exceeding Rs 51.38 crore.
The committee also referred to FIR No. 18/2024, registered following findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), concerning the alleged withdrawal of Rs 183.13 crore from the Palin Treasury during the 2023-24 financial year without budgetary provision, administrative approval or expenditure authorisation.
The JAC further alleged that the fisheries-related case involved the creation of “ghost ponds” and non-existent fisheries projects through which public funds were allegedly diverted. It claimed that several fish ponds and allied infrastructure projects shown as completed in official records either do not exist on the ground or remain incomplete despite the release of government funds.
According to the committee, preliminary findings and public complaints indicate large-scale misuse of funds under fisheries development schemes, depriving genuine beneficiaries of the intended benefits.
Questioning the delay in custodial interrogation, prosecution, filing of charge sheets and recovery of allegedly misappropriated public funds, Chacha sought clarity on the progress made by the investigating agencies. He also raised concerns over whether all individuals named in the cases had been investigated impartially and whether assets linked to the alleged offences had been identified or frozen.
The memorandum urged the state government and the Special Investigation Cell/Anti-Corruption Bureau (SIC/ACB) to expedite investigations and ensure accountability. The committee demanded immediate suspension of officials found prima facie involved, tracing and freezing of assets and bank accounts linked to the alleged offences subject to due legal process, investigation of the money trail, recovery of public funds, expeditious filing of charge sheets and publication of an Action Taken Report (ATR) within seven days.
The JAC has served a seven-day ultimatum to the government to address the issues raised in the memorandum and initiate appropriate action. Chacha warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period could compel the organisation to launch peaceful and democratic public movements in accordance with the law.
The committee reiterated that it would continue to pursue the matter through lawful and democratic means in the interest of transparency, accountability and protection of public funds.
No official response was available from the Fisheries Department or the state government at the time of filing this report.
