The Government of India has suspended Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Himanshu Nigam with immediate effect over alleged irregularities in the land acquisition process for a major highway project in Arunachal Pradesh.According to an official order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the officer in connection with alleged financial and procedural irregularities related to land acquisition for the Lada–Sarli Frontier Highway project in East Kameng district.Nigam, a 2021-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, was serving as the Deputy Commissioner of East Kameng at the time the alleged irregularities took place. The case relates to the process of acquiring land and payment of compensation for the highway project.
Officials said the land acquisition was carried out under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, which governs the acquisition of land for public projects and provides guidelines for compensation and rehabilitation of affected people.The order states that the Government of India, acting in the name of the President, has placed the officer under suspension under Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. During the period of suspension, Nigam’s headquarters will remain in Arunachal Pradesh. The order also states that he will not be allowed to leave the headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority.
As per the rules governing suspension of government officers, Nigam will receive a subsistence allowance during the suspension period. The allowance will be equivalent to the leave salary admissible on half-pay leave along with applicable dearness allowance. However, the payment will be subject to certification that he is not engaged in any other employment, profession or business during the suspension period.
