Allegations of large-scale financial irregularities in Arunachal Pradesh’s Fisheries Department have sparked a major controversy, with activists and former officials claiming that more than Rs 300 crore may have been misappropriated through fictitious projects, unauthorized transactions and fabricated records over several years. The alleged scam, which is currently under investigation by the Special Investigation Cell (SIC-Vigilance) in Itanagar, is said to have occurred between 2018 and 2024. According to members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on the Fisheries Scam, irregularities amounting to around Rs 183 crore have been detected in Kra Daadi district alone, while another Rs 100 crore-plus is alleged to have been siphoned off in Lower Subansiri district. Activists have alleged that public funds meant for fisheries development were diverted through the creation of so-called “ghost ponds” and non-existent fisheries projects. They claim that several transactions were carried out without proper approvals and were supported by fabricated documentation.
Former Fisheries Minister and current Chairman of Science and Technology, Tage Taki, described the allegations as “most unfortunate and painful.” He alleged that certain District Fisheries Development Officers (DFDOs), acting in collusion with treasury officials, siphoned off substantial amounts of public money without the knowledge of the minister, secretary or commissioner concerned.Taki said that during his tenure as Fisheries Minister from 2019 to 2024, the department generally received less than Rs 20 crore annually, excluding central government schemes. He said reports indicating expenditures of Rs 183 crore in a single district raise serious concerns and require a comprehensive investigation. “If documents uncovered during audits show such expenditure in one district, a thorough probe is necessary and strict action must be taken against those found responsible,” he said.
The issue has gained further attention after student activist and JAC member Takam Chacha alleged that unauthorized financial transactions were carried out by departmental and treasury officials in Kra Daadi district, particularly in the Palin and Jamin areas. According to him, the alleged irregularities point to a systematic misuse of government funds meant for development activities. Former minister Tage Taki has denied any involvement in the alleged scam and said he is ready to cooperate fully with investigators. As the SIC-Vigilance probe continues, the alleged fisheries scam is emerging as one of the most significant financial controversies in Arunachal Pradesh in recent years.
