ITANAGAR, AUG 19:
The Arunachal Publishers & Broadcasters Guild (APBG) on Wednesday urged the state government to remove or transfer state CAMPA chief executive officer Vineet Kumar Jawal, IFS, within seven days, citing an alleged conflict of interest arising from a departmental enquiry into CAMPA works implemented during his earlier tenure as a Divisional Forest Officer.
In a representation addressed to the chief secretary, APBG president Chopa Cheda said Jawal’s continuation as CEO of the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) raised questions of “administrative propriety and public confidence” as allegations relating to works executed during his tenure as DFO of Khellong Forest Division were under scrutiny.
According to the representation, complaints had been raised over implementation of NPV and compensatory afforestation works under the State CAMPA APO 2020-21 at several locations in Pakke Kessang district.
The Guild said State CAMPA had taken cognisance of the complaint in August 2024, describing it as “very serious in nature” and directed the Chief Conservator of Forests, WAC, Banderdewa, to conduct a fact-finding enquiry and identify officials responsible if lapses were detected.
The original complaint alleged irregularities involving around Rs 89.89 lakh and claimed that plantation activities had been shown as implemented and paid for despite villagers allegedly being unaware of such works. The Guild stressed that the claims remained allegations subject to determination by the competent enquiry.
Citing an official field inspection report dated April 22, 2025, Cheda said no plantation was found at Taal Chiya, while natural vegetation but no sign of artificial plantation was recorded at Sakum. Plantation grounding could also not be established at several other locations, including Rupung Geka, Bodha Geka and Fenye Happa, according to the representation.
The Guild further claimed that around 213 hectares of AR/ANR plantation works under Namorah Range were sanctioned under CAMPA AOP 2020-21 at an outlay of approximately Rs 85 lakh, while material cited in the representation allegedly recorded zero physical execution.
The Guild said it was not seeking to prejudge the guilt or innocence of the officer but questioned whether a person whose earlier role in CAMPA works was reportedly under examination should continue to head the institution administering the schemes and records connected with the scrutiny.
Besides seeking Jawal’s removal or transfer within seven days, the Guild demanded preservation of all relevant records, an independent and time-bound enquiry, fixing of responsibility wherever lapses are established and publication of the enquiry outcome and action taken.
It warned that in the absence of a satisfactory response within the stipulated period, it would consider “appropriate democratic and lawful courses of action” and approach competent authorities.
CEO Jawal could not be contacted for his comments on the matter.
