Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Nov 7: Flood-affected residents of Possa village and NEEPCO Colony in Keyi Panyor district have urged Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung and the concerned authorities to distribute the remaining flood relief funds among all affected families, opposing the legislator’s proposal to use the unspent amount to construct a memorial complex at Possa.
The residents said the donations were collected specifically to assist families affected by the devastating floods and should be utilised for their relief and rehabilitation rather than infrastructure development.
In a social media post, Tatung disclosed that the MLA Relief Care Fund had received Rs 3.20 crore, including Rs 2.34 crore through bank deposits and Rs 86.14 lakh in cash collections.
Of the total amount, Rs 67.74 lakh had been spent on relief activities, leaving a balance of Rs 2.52 crore, comprising Rs 1.83 crore in the bank and Rs 69.05 lakh in cash.
The MLA has proposed using the remaining amount to construct a memorial complex at Possa village. He also unveiled the conceptual design of the proposed project, titled “NYOKU — Seeds of Resilience”, describing it as a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives in the floods.
According to the proposed design, the complex will feature a 20-foot-high ‘Tree of Life’ sculpture, five memorial trees honouring the deceased, a permanent Roll of Honour and a plaque acknowledging the donors.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions on social media. While some appreciated the legislator's transparency in disclosing the fund's receipts and expenditure, others questioned the proposed diversion of donations and urged him to prioritise the needs of affected families.
Residents of Possa and NEEPCO Colony have also objected to the plan, demanding that the remaining funds be distributed equitably among all genuinely affected families without favouritism.
A woman from NEEPCO Colony claimed that her family had lost all its belongings, including valuable traditional ornaments, during the floods but had received only Rs 20,000 as relief assistance.
“We have learnt that well-wishers donated crores of rupees for flood victims. Now we hear that a memorial complex is being planned with the remaining funds. We strongly oppose this and request the authorities to ensure that the money reaches the affected families,” she said.
The residents maintained that donors had contributed to support disaster-affected families and that their intended purpose should be respected.