Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has sought an independent and time-bound investigation into alleged financial irregularities and manipulation of compensation records linked to the Kamle Hydro Power Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
In a letter dated September 1, the rights organisation said it had received information and representations alleging “serious financial irregularities” in compensation related to land and properties affected by the project. It alleged that inflated, fictitious, duplicate or fabricated compensation claims may have been prepared and processed.
HRA has asked the authorities to verify whether compensation bills prepared in connection with the project were genuine and lawful and whether any false or inflated claims were submitted or approved in the names of landowners, affected families or other beneficiaries.
The organisation has also raised questions over whether compensation may have been paid to people who were ineligible or were not the rightful beneficiaries. It has called for an examination of beneficiary records and the documents used to establish eligibility for compensation.
Another key concern raised by HRA is the alleged manipulation of land records, ownership documents, beneficiary lists and valuation reports. The group has also asked authorities to examine whether any officials, contractors, intermediaries or private individuals were involved in the preparation, verification or approval of irregular compensation claims.
HRA has further sought an investigation into whether government funds were misappropriated, diverted or illegally released through fraudulent or irregular compensation payments.
As part of its demands, the organisation has called for a complete beneficiary-wise audit of compensation payments made under the project. It has also sought physical verification of beneficiaries and the land or properties concerned, along with an examination of whether applicable land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement, compensation and financial rules were followed.
The rights group has proposed that the matter be investigated by an independent agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), wherever legally appropriate. According to HRA, an investigation by an agency independent of local influence would help ensure a fair examination of the allegations.
It has also sought a special audit covering compensation bills, sanctions, payments and related financial records. HRA urged authorities to preserve original files, registers, land records, payment documents, digital records and other relevant material so that evidence is not destroyed or altered during the investigation.
The organisation said genuine project-affected families should receive their lawful compensation without discrimination or delay. It has also called for criminal, departmental and recovery proceedings against anyone found responsible for submitting, approving or facilitating fraudulent claims.
HRA further sought protection for complainants, witnesses and others who may provide information about the alleged irregularities.
The rights group clarified that it was not opposed to development projects but said such projects must be implemented transparently and in accordance with the law.
“HRA is not against genuine development projects,” the letter said, adding that it supports development that is “lawful, transparent and beneficial to the people”. It maintained that alleged corruption, manipulation of compensation records and misuse of public funds should not come at the expense of project-affected families or the public exchequer.
HRA has also urged the Prime Minister to take “suo motu cognisance” of the matter and direct the competent authorities to conduct a fair, independent and comprehensive investigation.
