TAH compensation uncertain: AKKDSU

From our correspondent

Itagar, Nov 24: The work on a 61km stretch of Trans Aruchal Highway (TAH) has run into problem with the All Kurung Kumey District Union (AKKDSU) alleging that the district’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer (DLR&SO) did not furnish documents related to compensation.

AKKDSU president Bengia Anthony said the union had used Right to Information to know about the total affected area, detailed project report, compensation bill, me of land-affected people and more, but the office has not yet given any information.

“The DLR&SO and his office are seeking bank account from the people individually without public announcement and are not yet ready to disclose the matter. This act from the officers shows that something is fishy about the compensation matter,” he said.

Earlier, the union wrote a letter to the deputy commissioner of Kurung Kumey district advising against release of any compensation bill against TAH in the entire district. The association had also served the district administration a seven-day ultimatum for furnishing the details, but the latter ignored it.

“We need good road connectivity in our district but at the same time we also want transparency in the ongoing work,” Anthony said.

The association also accused the DLR&SO of preparing “false report and fabricated bills” in the me of land compensation and acquisition without proper land survey.