Arunachal CM Pema Khandu Unhappy over Slow Execution of CAMPA Schemes

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday expressed unhappiness over the slow execution of works under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme in the State.

“The pace which CAMPA work should be undertaken is not seen in the state. Works under the scheme are concentrated only in a few districts of the State,” Khandu said while responding to a question brought in the Assembly by Congress member Ninong Ering during Question Hour.

The Chief Minister added that he had already issued instruction to the Chief Secretary for strict implementation of the scheme in all districts and set a deadline of July 30 next to all the Deputy Commissioners for submitting proposals for work under CAMPA in their respective districts.

Ering while raising the question pointed out the reported man-animal conflicts in the State particularly in Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary in East Siang district and suggested for erecting electric fencing so that herds of elephants remain concentrated inside the sanctuary without coming out to destroy crops and properties of the people.

Khandu, however, assured to direct the Environment and Forest Department to look after the feasibility of erecting electric fencing in the sanctuary.

Responding to another supplementary, the chief minister informed that the State Government has received a total amount of Rs 712.52 crore under CAMPA from the Centre since 2009-10 and already released the amount for carrying out various works under the scheme.

He said, works under CAMPA scheme carried out in the State includes, compensatory afforestation; net present value including assisted natural regeneration, forest protection conservation measure and forest management and construction of residential and non-residential quarters; catchment area treatment and wildlife and biodiversity protection. The Chief Minister added that in order to ensure accountability and transparency in utilization of fund, there is a separate account maintained and expenditures are incurred after observing all codal formalities and approved norms of the State Government.

“In connection of utilization of fund under the scheme, the utilization certificate and progress reports are submitted by the divisional forest officers (DFOs) and chief conservators of forest (CCFs) against the scheme and proper audit form a chartered accountant for the account and expenditure is done from time to time,” Khandu said.

“Besides, all the activities are uploaded on e-Green Watch Portal of the union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and monitored by them,” the chief minister added.

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