Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Jul 15: The All Puroik Youth Association (APYA) has alleged large-scale irregularities in the functioning of the Autonomous Puroik Welfare Board (APWB) and sought a high-level inquiry into the implementation of welfare schemes meant for the Puroik community.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Wednesday, the APYA and the All Bichom District Youth Association (ABDYA) leaders claimed that although the Board was constituted in 2017 to safeguard the welfare and development of the Puroik community, the intended beneficiaries have allegedly been deprived of the benefits of various government schemes.
The organisations alleged that money was illegally collected from beneficiaries in exchange for the allotment of welfare schemes. They claimed that beneficiaries were allegedly asked to pay Rs 1 lakh for schemes worth Rs 10 lakh and Rs 2 lakh for schemes worth Rs 20 lakh, describing the practice as corruption that has adversely affected the community.
According to the organisations, the alleged illegal collection has deprived genuine beneficiaries of government assistance and defeated the very objective for which the autonomous board was established.
APYA and ABDYA leaders informed that they have submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary seeking a fair and impartial inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities and the functioning of the board.
Meanwhile, ABDYA president Rasam Rojo alleged that he was physically assaulted on Tuesday night for raising his voice against the alleged irregularities. He claimed that the assault was carried out by the Board Vice Chairman Kushuk Sulung Hale.
Rojo further alleged Hale had illegally collected lakhs of rupees from contractors and beneficiaries in connection with development work proposals for Puroik-inhabited areas across five districts.
Demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged assault, Rojo urged the state government to ensure the safety of individuals exposing corruption and alleged malpractice.
The organisations also appealed to the government to reconstitute the Autonomous Puroik Welfare Board through a transparent selection process involving community-based organisations to ensure fair representation, transparency and accountability.
They urged the state government to take immediate action on their complaints, investigate the allegations and ensure that welfare schemes reach genuine beneficiaries of the Puroik community.