Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR : The All Puroik Youth Association (APYA) on Wednesday alleged large-scale irregularities in the functioning of the Puroik Autonomous Board and sought a high-level inquiry into the implementation of welfare schemes meant for the Puroik community.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, leaders of the APYA and the All Bichom District Youth Association (ABDYA) said they had submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary seeking a fair and impartial inquiry into the functioning of the board and the alleged financial irregularities.

The organisations claimed that although the Puroik Autonomous Board was constituted in 2017 to safeguard the welfare and development of the community, the intended beneficiaries have allegedly been deprived of the benefits of various government schemes.

They alleged that money was being illegally collected from beneficiaries in exchange for the allotment of welfare schemes, claiming that beneficiaries were allegedly asked to pay ₹1 lakh for schemes worth ₹10 lakh and ₹2 lakh for schemes worth ₹20 lakh. They termed the alleged practice an act of corruption that has adversely affected the community and deprived genuine beneficiaries of government assistance.

Meanwhile, ABDYA president Rasam Rojo alleged that he was physically assaulted on Tuesday night after raising his voice against the alleged irregularities. He claimed that the assault was carried out by Puroik Autonomous Board Vice Chairman Kushuk Sulung Hale.

Rojo also accused Hale of allegedly collecting lakhs of rupees from contractors and beneficiaries in connection with development work proposals meant for Puroik-inhabited areas across five districts of the state.

Demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged assault, Rojo urged the state government to ensure the safety of individuals exposing corruption and alleged malpractice.

He further appealed to the government to reconstitute the Puroik Autonomous Board through a transparent selection process with the involvement of community-based organisations to ensure fair representation, transparency and accountability.

The two organisations urged the state government to investigate the allegations and ensure that welfare schemes reach the genuine beneficiaries of the Puroik community.

No response from the Puroik Autonomous Board or the individuals named in the allegations was available at the time of filing this report.