No corruption will be tolerated in land acquisition process, warns Arunachal CM Khandu
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, without mincing words, on Saturday reiterated that no form of corruption will be tolerated by the state government and those found guilty will be taken to task.
The Chief Minister was referring to the alleged misappropriation of government funds in the land acquisition process on the Lada to Sarli portion of the Frontier Highway.
Speaking at a public function during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Grong Buddha Park here in West Kameng district, Khandu informed that he came to know of the alleged misappropriation after returning from Delhi and immediately ordered the constitution of a high level committee to probe the allegations.
“I have also given directions that based on the preliminary report, all held responsible for the fiasco be suspended with immediate effect for a free and fair enquiry. Suspension orders will be out in a day or two,” he said.
Khandu lamented that the Frontier Highway was a result of tremendous toil by the state government, which held a series of meetings with the Central government and other stakeholders and few individuals for their personal gain were playing spoilsport.
“We have seen similar instances earlier too and are witness to the impact such practices have on the project’s timely completion. It is unfortunate that now this Frontier Highway project, particularly the Lada to Sarli stretch will suffer. Enquiries upon enquiries will be conducted, police will investigate and the matter will drag on in the court. This is very unfortunate and condemnable,” he said.
Literally terming it as a ‘nonsense act’, Khandu assured that those found guilty, be it a government official of any stature or any member of the public, will not be spared.
The Chief Minister lauded the West Kameng administration for completing the land acquisition process for the project in a free, fair and transparent manner without any hurdle.
He also thanked the people of the district for cooperating with the administration and expressed hope that other districts through which the highway is passing will take a cue from West Kameng.
Meanwhile, he congratulated the people of West Kameng, especially those of Singchung area, on the foundation laying of the Grong Buddha Park, which, he said, will become a tourist destination in the future.
The grand Buddha Park, envisioned as a shining example of development harmonised with spirituality, will feature a magnificent Buddha statue, monastery, stupas, museum, water body, guest house, hostel block, library, cafeteria, office and reception centre, parking area, kiosks, resting huts, garden, and courtyard.
“Once completed, it will serve as a serene centre of faith and reflection while also promoting tourism, local livelihood, and cultural preservation in the region,” he added.
The Chief Minister, on the occasion, launched three new apps, onecreated by the West Kameng district administration and two by the district police.
These are ‘Yakatopia app’ providing digital platform for ease of tourism, ‘Choo-mantar app’ to sensitize children regarding ‘good touch – bad touch’ and the ‘YodhaBandhu app’ to provide tele-counselling and awareness to youth affected by substance abuse.
He also inaugurated a new police station at Singchung, the new building of the Bhalukpong police state, a new academic block at the Government Higher Secondary school, Singchun and three road projects.
The Chief Minister further laid foundation stones for 21 new projects in the district, expressing hope that all the 21 projects will be completed on time without compromising with the quality.
Khandu was joined by Home Minister Mama Natung, all the five MLAs of Tawang and West Kameng including host Tenzin Nyima Glow.