Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, OCT 3:
The Hollongi Village-I & II Land Affected Welfare Committee (HVLAWC) on Saturday urged the State Government to review certain provisions of the proposed Arunachal Pradesh Airport Area Development Authority Draft Bill, 2026, stating that they may adversely affect land-affected families.
Addressing the media at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here, HVLAWC president Tana Tara welcomed the government’s initiative to introduce the draft legislation but said certain provisions require reconsideration in the interest of the affected families.
Tara said the provision for recruitment to Group-A posts through the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and Group-B, C and D posts through the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) should be reviewed.
He demanded that preference be given to eligible members of land-affected families in the recruitment to Group-C and D posts, including LDC, Data Entry Operator, MTS, driver and peon.
On Section 45(B) of the draft Bill, concerning reconstitution, re-allocation and relocation of plots, the committee expressed apprehension that the provision could lead to disputes and possible misuse.
The committee called for a phased approach to land acquisition based on the actual requirement of the proposed Aero City, along with fair compensation and rehabilitation benefits for the affected families.
Regarding Section 115(2)(C), which deals with the powers and duties of police officers to arrest upon receipt of a complaint from the Authority for offences under the Act or Rules, the committee sought suitable amendments.
It said any arrest should be made strictly in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and only when the statutory conditions for arrest are satisfied. A complaint by the Authority alone, it maintained, should not automatically constitute grounds for arrest.
The committee further demanded modification of Section 4(2)(XIII) to ensure representation of land-affected families in the Authority.
It urged the government to include at least one representative from the land-affected committee as a member of the proposed Authority.
