Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) has reiterated its three-point memorandum submitted to the state government and announced that it will organise a mega rally in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) on August 3 to press for immediate action on its demands.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Tuesday, UAPF leaders sought immediate government intervention on the Smart Prepaid Meter System, de-reservation of forest land in the ICR, and an investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the construction of the Dari-Chambang road in Kra-Daadi district.
UAPF president Khyoda Daniel demanded an immediate probe into the alleged misuse and misappropriation of more than Rs 121 crore sanctioned for the Dari-Chambang road project. He also called for the arrest of all officials allegedly involved in the corruption and the blacklisting of firms responsible for the execution of the project.
Alleging large-scale financial irregularities, Daniel claimed that while the actual distance between Dari and Chambang is about 26 kilometres, funds were reportedly withdrawn for the construction of a 38 to 40-kilometre stretch by the executing agency in connivance with the concerned department. He urged the state government to conduct a thorough investigation and take stringent action against those found guilty.
On the issue of electricity, the forum 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.
UAPF general secretary Dangu Mama said that despite Arunachal Pradesh’s vast hydropower potential, consumers continue to bear high electricity costs. He asserted that the people of the state should directly benefit from the abundant natural resources available in Arunachal Pradesh.
Mama further alleged that the prepaid metering system has disproportionately affected economically weaker sections, daily wage earners, pensioners and residents of rural areas. According to him, the system has resulted in frequent power disconnections due to insufficient balance, additional recharge charges and difficulties for elderly citizens and people living in remote areas with limited access to digital payment facilities.
He 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.
On the issue of land, Mama demanded early de-reservation or rationalisation of forest boundaries within the Capital Complex and adjoining areas. He said 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 hurdle in obtaining Land Possession Certificates (LPCs), land allotments, building permissions and bank loans. He further alleged that several public infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, hospitals, government offices and water supply schemes, continue to face delays due to mandatory forest clearances.
Mama 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.
Recalling that the forum had served a 14-day ultimatum to the state government on June 19 over the three issues, Mama said a round-table meeting was subsequently held with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and officials of the power department. However, he claimed that the meeting failed to produce any concrete outcome.
Announcing the next course of action, Mama said the UAPF would organise a mega rally in the ICR on August 3 to press the state government to act on its three-point charter of demands.
“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,” he said.
