Arunachal CM Pema Khandu accused of corruption; asked to step down from post

ITANAGAR: Accusing Chief Minister Pema Khandu led government of indulging in "massive corruption", a conglomeration of organizations under the banner of Joint Organizations Movement of Arunachal Pradesh (JOMA) demanded the CM’s resignation on "moral grounds." However, the organizations could not substantiate their claims.

“The state government had signed 142 MoUs with private power developers -- now only 68 companies are in Arunachal Pradesh. The Central Electricity Authority has identified 57000-megawatt potential in Arunachal Pradesh” claimed Taw Paul, president of Pro-Dam Movement of Arunachal Pradesh.

Paul further claimed that Rs. 1495 crores have been collected from 142 private developers in advance. “Where has all the money gone?” he asked.

Further taking a dig at the government for failing to resolve the boundary issue with Assam, the All Arunachal Border Students Union (AABSU) president Sunny Tana Tara lashed out at the Pema Khandu led government for its alleged failure.

“We have been demanding for Border Task Force to protect citizens residing along the boundary areas. But this government is not paying heed,” said Tara.

Further, the Nyishi Ethnic Students Association (NESA) alleged that an amount of over Rs 500 crores was misused in the Panchayati Raj department.

“Rs. 571 crores have been sanctioned in Panchayati Raj department, where did the money go, nobody knows,” asked Biri Chatum, said the president of NESA, adding that the money should be given to the Panchayati Raj leaders.

The JOMA also demanded the highway department to execute the package B and C of NH 415 without compromising the width.

‘The government must address our demands within 15 days or Chief Minister Khandu must resign. Failure to do so would compel us to launch a series of democratic movement from early January,’ JOMA stated.

The Government of Arunachal denied the allegations and the spokesman termed it as "politically motivated" to tarnish the image of the chief minister.