By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Allegations of financial irregularities exceeding Rs 300 crore in Arunachal Pradesh’s Fisheries Department have triggered a Vigilance investigation, with activists and former officials claiming public funds were diverted through fictitious projects and unauthorised transactions between 2018 and 2024.
Members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on the Fisheries Scam have alleged that irregularities amounting to around Rs 183 crore were detected in Kra Daadi district and more than Rs 100 crore in Lower Subansiri district. According to them, the alleged scam involved the creation of “ghost ponds” and non-existent fisheries projects to siphon off public funds.
The matter is being investigated by the Special Investigation Cell (SIC-Vigilance), Itanagar.
Speaking to media, former Fisheries Minister and current Chairman of Science and Technology Tage Taki termed the allegations serious and called for a thorough investigation. He alleged that certain District Fisheries Development Officers (DFDOs), in collusion with treasury officials, diverted large sums from the state exchequer without the knowledge of the minister, secretary or commissioner concerned.
Taki said the Fisheries Department generally received less than Rs 20 crore annually during his tenure from 2019 to 2024, excluding Centrally sponsored schemes. He said audit documents reportedly showing expenditure of Rs 183 crore in a single district warranted detailed scrutiny and strict action against those responsible.
Student activist and JAC member Takam Chacha alleged that unauthorised financial transactions were carried out by departmental and treasury officials in Kra Daadi district, particularly in the Palin and Jamin areas.
The allegations have also drawn political attention, with Urban Affairs Minister and local MLA Balo Raja publicly reacting as scrutiny intensifies over the alleged disbursal of funds without ministerial approval.
Local NGOs, student organisations and public watchdog groups have alleged that funds earmarked for fisheries development were diverted through fabricated records and non-existent projects. They have further claimed that several transactions were executed without obtaining mandatory approvals from the minister, secretary or commissioner.
The JAC recently submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu seeking a transparent and time-bound investigation. It has also warned of democratic protests if stringent action is not taken against those found responsible.
Taki has denied involvement in the alleged scam and said he is willing to cooperate fully with any inquiry.