ITANAGAR, Jul 24: The Joint Committee of Ward Members and Contractors (JCWMC) on Wednesday staged a significant dharna at the Tennis Court here, bringing their four-point charter of demands before the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC).

The JCWMC called for the immediate payment of pending bills allocated under the 15th Finance Commission and the implementation of honorariums for IMC ward members, as proposed in the 15th Business Meeting.

Additionally, the committee seeks the formation of an inquiry committee to review expenditures under both the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions.

According to the JCWMC, they had issued an ultimatum on July 8, 2024, requesting a response from the IMC and the incumbent Mayor regarding these issues. However, the deadline has elapsed without any response from the authorities.

According to the committee, the IMC was allocated Rs 44 crores for developmental projects, with each ward receiving Rs 1.50 crores for initiatives such as retaining walls and drainage systems. Contractors have reported receiving only partial payments for work completed over the past two years, with the remaining amounts still withheld without explanation.

Ward committee members have also been waiting for their honorariums for four years, with no progress made toward their implementation.

In response to these issues, the committee has appealed to the government of Arunachal Pradesh for intervention.

They have also called for the resignation of the incumbent mayor Tame Phassang on moral grounds, citing the unresolved grievances and inadequate response.