CBI probe into TAH land compensation issue demanded

Our Correspondent

Itanagar, May 19: Alleging gross irregularities in the disbursement of compensation among affected people with respect to acquisition of land for the Potin-Joram stretch of Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH), an organization here has termed the irregularities as one of the biggest scandals in the State and demanded a CBI probe into the matter. The allegation of the Yazali Zilla Segment Trans-Arunachal Highway Compensation Deprived Forum (YZSTAHCDF) came against the backdrop of public hue and cry over recent transfer of Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Kemo Lollen.

Forum's spokesperson Bengia Tolum alleged that the district administration carried out the disbursement process at their whims and fancies and made the payment to many individuals who don't posses single plot of land near TAH's proposed alignment.

"The district administration didn't hold any public hearing regarding the claims and objections during their first assessment in 2009," claimed Tolum, adding that the scandal involved Rs 188 crore which was sanctioned for compensation, but the amount was not distributed to real affected people.

Stating that some people who do not have an inch of land received crore of rupees as compensation amount, the Forum demanded the authority for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the scandal.

Reportedly, from Potin to Joram altogether 74 families were identified as land affected people under TAH.

Claiming that it got to know through RTI document that many individuals, who do not possess a single plot of land or structure, were paid huge amount, the Forum also demanded for immediate inquiry into the matter headed by a sitting High Court judge.