Tourism dept yet to clear Pasighat debris

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, May 1: Following its blooper of an attempt called ‘Aruchal Spring Carnival’ in Pasighat in March this year, the tourism department is now organizing another festival, this time in Tawang, from May 1-3. However, the department is yet to clear all the debris it created in Pasighat. The festival in Pasighat was organized from March 17 to 19 last in a hush-hush manner and without much publicity. The festival ended midway, mostly due to mismagement by the department and partly due to lack of coordition among the locals and the department.

And meanwhile, Takap Tagri, winner of the festival’s angling competition, is yet to receive his cash award of Rs 25,000.

“I have approached tourism deputy director Gedo Eshe many a time, but he keeps on denying me my award on one pretext or another,” Tagri rued.

“It would have been a real shame for the state if some foreign angler had won the prize,” he added.

Several foreigners and people from outside Aruchal Pradesh had participated in the competition. Besides Tagri, the second and third place winners are also yet to receive their cash awards.

A source informed that the North East Council on March 23 released the first installment of Rs 6 lakhs for the Pasighat fest, with the state’s matching share of 10 percent for the Rs 25-lakh festival. Interestingly, the deputy director claims to have spent Rs 5 lakhs from his own pocket for the festival.