Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jan 16: In a surprising move, Chief Engineer of Urban Development Department Taba Tedir has decided to return the compensation money he had received for construction of the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) to the state government.
He had reportedly received Rs 3.25 crore as compensation for his property located at Billo village under Lower Subansiri district.
While talking to the media here, Tedir informed that he took the decision in the interest of the people of Yachuli assembly constituency.
“I was never interested in compensation money and had in fact requested the assessment team in June 2014 to spare my property. I am going to meet the deputy commissioner (DC) of Lower Subansiri on Thursday and will hand over the cheque of Rs 3.25 crore to him,” Tedir said.
“Having seen the problems faced by people of Yachuli assembly constituency due to pathetic condition of road in our area, I decided to voluntarily donate my land free-of-cost for the construction of the TAH from Potin to Bopi. We need good road for the development of the area,” said Tedir.
During the visit of the assessment team, Tedir said he had “vehemently requested them” to spare his property.
He also said that the property owners on the opposite side were willing to give up their property for the construction of the TAH.
“Accordingly, upon my request, the team had left my property aside and assessed the property on the opposite side of the road. This was done in midst of all parties concerned in agreement,” he said while adding that after three months from the date of the initial assessment, the team came back again and conducted assessment in the presence of paramilitary forces.
Earlier in September last year, Tedir had written to the chairman of the Fact Finding Committee Potin-Bopi TAH, asking him (chairman) to properly re-asses his property and had even declared to return money if after re-assessment the property was valued lower than Rs 3.25 crore.
His decision to return compensation money to state government comes at a time when a major enquiry is going on over allegation of corruption in distribution of compensation for Potin-Bopi TAH and Joram-Koloriang road in Lower Subansiri district.
Allegedly, many high profile politicians and government officials have illegally collected compensation without owning structures near the road.
The former DC of Lower Subansiri, Kemo Lollen and former DLRSO Bharat Lingu were arrested for their alleged involvement in the case.
