Arunachal future bleak if corruption not removed: Nabam Tuki

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The future of Arunachal Pradesh looks bleak due to rampant corruption, former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said after releasing a pamphlet of 'Make Arunachal corruption-free state', an initiative of Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA) here on Sunday.

This being a great step would go down state's history as a remarkable day to launch fight against corruption by revered Christian leaders, he said, and called for a calculated strategy as convincing Arunachalees would be easy but winning over the intellectuals would be a tough task that holds the click button to success.

Let the issue be the talk of the masses by involving them during next Independence Day celebration when the pamphlets would be distributed on large scale as Indian have gained freedom from the British Rule but has remained 'gulam' (slave) of corruption, he said. Everything should begin from home or self for developing cleanliness for others to emulate which is the panacea to prevailing corruption to make Arunachal healthy, wealth and prosperous, Tuki said at Don Bosco Youth Centre (DBYC) here and announced to make Sagalee constituency a model for others to follow.

Tuki has won Sagalee seat five times including unopposed twice.

Suggesting that corrupt leaders should not be given ticket by any party, he also called for exemplary punishment to all those involved in massive Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH) scam.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy exhorted the younger generation to listen to their inner voice as corruption encompasses morality and spirituality beyond exchange of money.

Referring to the arrest of senior politicians, he said "the giver and taker of bribe are equally corrupt" and said that "no religion advocates corruption".

Raising the Rs 238 crore TAH scam, he said that victims belonging to Congress, NPP, PPA and BJP explained how crores of fund have been embezzled and said that PM Narendra Modi's famous quote — 'Naa khaunga, naa khne dunga' — has miserably failed.

He explained how the Mizoram civil society members collect bribes given by candidates and deposit the amount to the Election Commission of India.

"We are not too late, we could achieve this too. Arise, awake and walk till the goal is reached," he added.