Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) has submitted a three-point memorandum to the state government, seeking immediate intervention on issues related to the Smart Prepaid Meter System, de-reservation of forest land in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR), and an investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the construction of the Dari–Chambang road in Kra-Daadi district.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Monday, UAPF president Khyoda Daniel said the memorandum was submitted to safeguard indigenous rights and ensure transparency and accountability in governance. He warned that the forum would launch a democratic agitation if the government failed to address its demands at the earliest.
Daniel recalled that the forum had served a 14-day ultimatum to the state government on June 19 over the three issues. Following the ultimatum, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, along with officials of the electrical departments, held a round-table meeting with the forum. However, the meeting ended without any concrete resolution, he said.
On the issue of electricity, the UAPF demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Smart Prepaid Meter System and restoration of the conventional postpaid billing mechanism. It also sought free electricity of up to 1,000 units per month for domestic consumers in the state.
Daniel said that despite Arunachal Pradesh’s immense hydropower potential, residents continue to bear high electricity costs. He argued that the people of the state should directly benefit from its abundant natural resources.
He further alleged that the prepaid metering system has disproportionately affected economically weaker sections, daily wage earners, pensioners, and rural residents. According to him, the system has resulted in frequent power disconnections due to insufficient balance, additional recharge-related charges, and inconvenience for elderly citizens and people living in remote areas with limited access to digital payment facilities.
The forum also urged the government to formulate a special power subsidy policy for economically weaker sections and ensure that the benefits generated from hydropower projects are shared with the people of the state.
The second demand relates to the early de-reservation or rationalisation of forest boundaries within the Capital Complex and adjoining areas.
Daniel stated that large portions of the present-day ICR were brought under the Durpang Reserved Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1979 under the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, when Arunachal Pradesh was still a Union Territory. He claimed that the reserved forest status has become a major obstacle in obtaining Land Possession Certificates (LPCs), land allotments, building permissions, and bank loans.
He further said that several public infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, hospitals, government offices, and water supply schemes, often face delays due to forest clearance requirements. He also alleged that many indigenous villages and traditional settlements were brought under reserved forest areas without adequate consultation and called for the regularisation of traditional land holdings.
On the third issue, the UAPF demanded an immediate investigation into the alleged misuse and misappropriation of over Rs 121 crore in public funds earmarked for the construction of the Dari–Chambang road project in Kra-Daadi district.
UAPF general secretary Dangu Mama alleged that while the actual road length between Dari and Chambang is around 26 kilometres, funds were reportedly withdrawn for constructing a 38 to 40-kilometre stretch by the executing agency and the concerned department.
The forum urged the state government to conduct a thorough inquiry into the alleged irregularities and take stringent action against all those found responsible.
“We appeal to the state government to address our demands at the earliest and take immediate action on all three issues, as they are directly linked to public welfare, development, and accountability in governance,” Mama said.
