ITANAGAR : The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) has urged the Arunachal Pradesh government to publish a comprehensive White Paper on land compensation disbursed under the Frontier Highway Project in Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi and East Kameng districts, seeking greater transparency and accountability in the implementation of the project.
In a representation submitted to the Commissioner of Land Management on Thursday, the union sought publication of the White Paper within 15 days, detailing compensation sanctioned and disbursed under the project.
ANSU said the Frontier Highway Project involves substantial public expenditure and directly affects the rights and interests of thousands of landowners and beneficiaries, making transparency, fairness and accountability essential in the compensation process.
Referring to a writ petition pending before the Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court concerning land compensation in the Kurung Kumey stretch of the project, the union alleged that compensation was released despite directions issued by the court on April 10 this year, without mandatory physical verification, videography, photography and other procedures required to verify the existence and extent of land, structures and plantations before disbursement.
The union sought district-wise, package-wise and village-wise details of compensation sanctioned and paid, the complete list of beneficiaries, valuation methodology, verification reports, survey records, GPS mapping and geo-tagging documents. It also called for disclosure of complaints, departmental inquiries, vigilance proceedings, audit observations, recovery actions and pending judicial cases related to land compensation under the project.
ANSU further demanded disclosure of the total compensation disbursed, the source of funds and corrective measures initiated to recover any excess or fraudulent payments while ensuring lawful compensation to genuine beneficiaries. It said publication of the White Paper would strengthen public confidence and reaffirm the government’s commitment to transparent governance.
The union also demanded constitution of a recovery committee within seven days to identify and recover any excess, fraudulent or unauthorised compensation released under the Frontier Highway Project. It further sought declassification and public release of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation report on the alleged land compensation irregularities, saying its disclosure was necessary to ensure transparency, accountability and restore public confidence.
In a separate representation to Arunachal Pradesh Land Management, Urban Affairs and Housing Minister, ANSU sought an official meeting involving the district administration, the Land Management Department, the local MLA and representatives of the union to discuss issues related to the proposed Kamla Hydroelectric Project.
According to the union, the meeting would enable stakeholders to obtain first-hand information on land acquisition, compensation, rehabilitation and other related issues, while helping prevent disputes similar to those witnessed during land compensation for the Lada-Sarli stretch of the Frontier Highway in East Kameng district and facilitating smooth implementation of the hydropower project.
