The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has called for transparency in the land compensation process for the Kamle Hydroelectric Project (HEP) following concerns over alleged inflation of compensation estimates. The ACB, Arunachal Pradesh’s premier investigative agency, has stressed the need for due diligence, fairness, and strict adherence to laws and rules in the preparation and disbursement of land compensation. The bureau’s advisory comes in response to various social media posts and news reports expressing concern over the alleged inflation of land compensation estimates. The ACB has cited past cases where land compensation estimates in infrastructure projects were illegally inflated, resulting in wrongful gains for government officials and private individuals involved.
In such cases, the ACB had to register FIRs, leading to criminal proceedings, including arrests and seizure of properties. The bureau further stated that it has been entrusted with the mandate of preventive vigilance to proactively eliminate the causes of corruption and misconduct in government organisations before they occur. In view of this mandate, the ACB has advised officials, private individuals, and beneficiaries associated with the land compensation process to observe due diligence, transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to laws, rules, and manuals.
The ACB has also advised maintaining proper records, including documentary, electronic, and technical records, for future reference. The issue has triggered strong reactions online, with many social media users calling for an investigation into the matter.
