ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Aug 18: A day after the state government released status report on the APPSC Cash-for-Job scam, the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) rejected the government's statement on the 13-point demand terming it as "mere eyewash".
Speaking to the media at the Press Club today, Vice Chairman PAJSC, Tadak Nalo claimed that the status report is nothing new but the same which was issued or assured in the last meeting held on February 18, earlier this year after the two-day public bandh in the state capital. 
“We sought action taken report, not another assurance or recommendation letter," slammed Nalo while claiming that the statement issued by the government is an eyewash.
He also slammed the government for making a mockery of the issue by constituting One- Man Commission under retired High Court Judge to investigate the whole episode from 2014 to 2023. 
"State and central agencies have failed to unearth the truth as of now despite digging the case for a whole year with their men and machine. Then how come a single man will perform his best in the case, if this is not a mockery then what is?" Nalo questioned.
The PAJSC appreciated the state government for recommending the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), but said that the required support and other logistics needed was not provided. It also criticized the CBI for the snail paced investigation including lack of concrete results. The PAJSC also questioned the lack of updates about  Departmental inquiries against officials of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), and updates on seizures of their properties. The Committee also questioned about other accused whose names were revealed by prime accused Taket Jerang and others involved in the scam.
Tadak Nalo also criticized the government for not constituting a separate fast-track court for the issue, as it was one of the demands of the aspirants; instead, Session Court-Yupia has been designated for the same. In regards to the Whistleblower Act, the government is misleading the public, as there is a provision where the government can make an Act in the Assembly. Moreover, assurance to recognize late Gyamar Padang, has not been done till date, he said.
Despite assurance on 18th February last, not to register case against any members, there are at least 13 cases registered in five different police stations, Nalo claimed.
Challenging Chief Minister Pema Khandu to invoke Enforcement Directorate (ED) against himself, if he is really willing to solve the issue, Chairperson PAJSC, Techi Puru stated that, directly or indirectly many top officials are involved in the scam. Most of the malpractices that occurred in the APPSC was under former Chairman APPSC Nipo Nabam and during CM Pema Khandu's regime, he said.
We have demanded, Court monitored probe on the whole scam, but this point was omitted by the government. We are not against anyone but are making an effort to change the system, said Puru.
“We may get killed while fighting for this issue, but we won’t back off from it until we get a solution," said Puru.
 PAJSC will soon organize a democratic movement in the form of a Civil Disobedience Movement, Candlelight march, and Dharna from August 26 to 28. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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