NAMSAI, Nov 15: Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman held a meeting with Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers/Finance Ministers of the States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories via virtual conference mode today on Investment, Infrastructure Development and Growth.
Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and Minister-In-Charge of Finance, Planning & Investment, Chowna Mein along with the Commissioner (Planning & Investment), Prashant Lokhande attended the virtual conference from DC Office, Namsai today.
DCM emphasized the priority of the State in Investment in Agri-Horticulture, Tourism, Hydropower, Natural Resources, Connectivity, Development of Border Areas and integration with ASEAN.
Mein while thanking the Union Finance Minister for organizing this important meeting said that Ministry of Finance deserves all appreciation for steering the Indian Economy through the turbulent times during the covid pandemic.
He said that our growth rate, GST collection and many such indicators has given us confidence of V shape recovery of Indian Economy. “We could achieve this because of visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi who gave us a mantra of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and tireless efforts of the Ministry of Finance for ensuring a well-coordinated and calibrated revival of economy and supporting the state’s finances through various routes”.              
While highlighting the financial status of the State, he informed that the North Eastern most State of the country has managed its finances in a prudent manner during the pandemic period. “For Arunachal the reduction in share of central taxes last year was almost 25% by Rs.3329 Cr. However, not even once we defaulted on our committed liabilities such as loan repayments, contributions to sinking funds, salaries, pensions and wages, etc," he said.  
He also said that in the current year, we have received around Rs. 440 Cr less than anticipated as share of central taxes in first 7 months and exuded confidence that the State will get the full share of central taxes.
Arunachal Pradesh though endowed with abundance of rich natural resources it faces multitudes of challenges in the form of harsh terrain, lack of employment opportunities, remoteness, poor connectivity, poor infrastructure, sparsely dispersed population, shallow financial markets, low skill base and cost disability on account of greater project costs, the deputy chief minister said.
He urged the Government of India to give due consideration to the fact that the State is deprived of funding from any of the Multilateral Development Banks and as such the same needs to be duly compensated while planning for the investment decisions for state of Arunachal Pradesh.
He further apprised that in spite of the pandemic, Arunachal has made satisfactory progress on development of various infrastructure projects including Hydropower, road sector and airport.
He also said that the tourism sector has suffered severe losses due to covid pandemic and a well-coordinated approach is required to revive this sector and support the tourism industry through investment and promotion.
Citing robust connectivity through roadways, airways and railways as crucial for the holistic development of the State as it is located in a strategic geographical location connectivity becomes crucial not only for Defence purpose, but also to counter de-population of border areas. “On this background, the strategic roads and bridges, frontier highways etc. would need special focus and investment”, he added.
To develop the border villages along Indo-China Border, the State Government is pursuing a composite proposal including construction of roads, drinking water, development of health and education infrastructure, installation of micro hydel projects and Solar Lights in the border areas.
Highlighting the huge Hydro Power Potential of the State, DCM stated that we can contribute significantly to our PM’s commitments at Glasglow of meeting India’s 50 % of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030 and the State is consciously working with CPSUs to harness this potential. He also informed that taking clue from the guidance given by our Hon’ble Prime Minister to Global Community at COP-26, and in tune with principles of ‘Panchamrit’, Arunachal has become first State to announce ‘Panch-Dhara’ with 75 activities as a part of its efforts through Pakke Declaration 2047 on Climate Change Resilient & Responsive Arunachal on 13th November.
He also said that the immediate challenge for Arunachal Pradesh is to create an inflow of investment in industrial sector including for agro-processing sector and implored the GOI to support an industrial policy on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir for NE region.
He also said that the integration with ASEAN countries is key for the development of NER and suggested for a well calibrated approach to convert this opportunity given by geographical location into a reality to increase trade and investment.
Mein further suggested that GOI may constitute a task force which can suggest the ten-year action plan to address the issues of connectivity including digital connectivity, trade and investment in NE region.  

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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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