The Joint Action Committee on the Fisheries Department Scam has accused the Arunachal Pradesh government of inaction over the alleged Rs 277 crore scam, despite being provided with documentary evidence. The committee alleged that no inquiry has been initiated and no official named in the documents has been suspended till date. The committee had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on 11 June, seeking action into the alleged scam, and had also issued a seven-day ultimatum, which expired on 18 June. The committee alleged that several officers and officials whose names have been mentioned in the documents have remained silent despite the allegations. It argued that the absence of any clarification from the officials concerned raises serious questions, and claimed that public money had been misused. The committee rejected the claim by Koloriang MLA Pani Taram that the movement is politically motivated, and maintained that corruption has no political colour. It stated that its campaign is aimed solely at seeking accountability over the alleged misuse of public funds. The committee alleged that the alleged scam began during 2012-2013 when Pani Taram was serving as the district fisheries development Officer (DFDO) in Lower Subansiri district. The committee named several officials who, according to the committee, are mentioned in the documents submitted to the government, including former Fisheries Department officials, the district treasury officer of Palin, senior departmental officers, the director, the commissioner, and other officials. It alleged that despite the names appearing in the records, none of them has publicly clarified their position. The committee demanded that an inquiry should have been initiated immediately after the submission of the memorandum and evidence.
It questioned why no action has been taken so far despite what it described as sufficient documentary proof. The committee appealed to the central BJP leadership and questioned why the chief minister is allegedly being protected despite the allegations. The committee also questioned union minister Kiren Rijiju, asking him, as the representative of Arunachal Pradesh in the union government, to clarify why no action had been taken. Additionally, the committee questioned the state’s deputy chief minister and finance minister over the absence of action despite the issue having been raised publicly. The committee claimed that a preliminary CBI inquiry had already been initiated, and alleged that the government’s inaction has allowed corruption to continue.
It further claimed that a preliminary CBI inquiry had already been initiated, and the committee questioned why no further progress has been made. The committee announced that it will organise a peaceful march on 6 July, beginning at 9 am, from Akashdeep to IG Park in Itanagar. It appealed to political leaders, panchayat leaders, AAPSU, ANSU, social workers, civil society organisations, intellectuals, religious organisations, former and present DSU leaders, and the general public, particularly from Kra Daadi and Lower Subansiri districts, to participate in the rally.
The committee maintained that the movement is not against any individual or political party but is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and justice in the alleged Fisheries Department scam.
