GUWAHATI, Sep 8: Addressing the vital 68th Plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC) today, both Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed in elaborate terms the challenges faced by Arunachal Pradesh and the aspirations it nurtures for getting transformed into a developed state.
Governor highlighted the state’s challenges in educational infrastructure, road & air communication, innovation, sustainable development, policing, insurgency & anti-national activities.  Reiterating the urgent need of land, air, internet and mobile network connectivity, Governor said that these are the areas that are to be addressed to usher in overall development.While urging NEC to assist Arunachal in banking sector, Governor said that Credit Deposit Ratio of banks in the state is less than 30 against the norm of 60 which shows that outreach of banking sector and financial inclusion is grossly inadequate. Expressing his concern that insurgents are considering Arunachal as a safe haven for hideouts, extortion and fresh recruitment operations particularly in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, Governor requested cooperation from the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide assistance in this regard.  Upgrading of existing facilities in Police Training College, in districts police lines and setting up of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) in all districts were also highlighted by the Governor.

While pointing out that majority of the educational infrastructure and schools in the state are in dilapidated condition, he requested the NEC to make appropriate provisions for their upgradation. Talking about Hollongi Airport, he requested the Council to take up the matter with Airport Authority of India and expedite completion within 3 years. Raising the issue of Miao-Vijoynagar Road Governor sought support of the NEC and all Central ministries for making the dream project a success. For National Institute of Technology (NIT), he suggested that NIT Act should be amended so that Education Minister and Education Secretary of the concerned states become ex-officio members of Board of Governors (BoG) which will ensure state government’s speedy assistance at times of need.
Khandu while addressing the session argued that criteria of central funding should not be based on population when it comes to Northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh. He reasoned that although NE states have low demography, they have large geographical areas with large parts comprising of remote, hostile and challenging terrain and hence for a state like Arunachal, criteria for deciding the quantum of funding under various  Central Sector Schemes should not be based on population and instead, the unique realities must be taken into account. Speaking about Central relief grants for disasters and natural calamities, CM placed the need for a substantial revision keeping in view of their recurring nature in Arunachal Pradesh. 
Citing connectivity as the major challenge for development, he placed the figure that state has around 700-800 rural habitations still unconnected by roads because they do not qualify for funding under PMGSY and as such, these roads could be taken up under NERSDS or Bharatmala or there must be revision of eligibility criteria under PMGSY. Reminding that Hollongi Airport is expected to become operational by 2022, Khandu suggested that until then, a daily flight from Delhi to Lilabari via Guwahati may be commenced at the earliest. While informing that Arunachal is perhaps the only state in Northeast to be deprived of World Bank, ADB and JICA aids, he said that there must be an alternative arrangement, preferably under NEC.
Regarding 15th Finance Commission recommendations which are to be placed soon, Khandu informed that at present Arunachal receives 1.37% of resources from the divisible pool which needs to be revised substantially keeping in view the state’s strategic location and several jointly shared developmental priorities of both Centre and State.  Expressing his views on NEC funding of schemes in social sector/capital works, he informed that the total amount of funds received by the state was around 200 crores, but since 2018 no new schemes are being considered for approval/sanction which is adversely affecting developmental works. As the state government has already constructed necessary infrastructure at Pangsau Pass for facilitation of border trade, proposed Land Customs station need to be made operational with immediate effect, he added. Sufficient fund should be made available through NEC for development of sports infrastructure in NE states in general and Arunachal Pradesh in particular, he reiterated.  
Acknowledging that NERCOMP has made appreciable impact in the three insurgency-affected and drug infested districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, Khandu requested that the same may be extended to the other backward areas of the state. Emphasizing on agri-horti sector, Khandu urged NEC to increase Normative Allocation under Livelihood Sector for Arunachal considering its physical vastness, remoteness, difficult terrain and unique topography. He also requested NEC to provide fund for establishment of important regional educational institutions in Arunachal Pradesh and include Middle and Secondary level educational institutions in the purview of NEC.
“I would request NEC to explore the possibility of opening critical care unit in Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences by providing additional funds and I also request NEC to provide fund for establishment of Medicity at Pachin Colony, Naharlagun without curtailing the normative allocation for the state,” he said.  Khandu also proposed that all 8 states should come up with a comprehensive plan to attract tourists from all over the country to boost tourism. Initiative for creation of North East Water Management Authority which is in the process of finalization by NITI Aayog will go a long way in fulfilling the objective of optimization of water resources in the North Eastern Region, he opined and requested to set up one branch office of the Authority at Itanagar.
While informing that Arunachal has a quality forest cover of 82% of the total area providing invaluable ecological services to the nation and the world as a carbon sink, CM appealed NEC and DoNER to pursue Green Bonus for Arunachal. Stressing that there is an urgent need for government intervention to preserve and protect indigenous tribal culture and identity in its purest form, Khandu said NEC can play a pivotal role by providing assistance by setting up heritage centers and museums and suggested to initiate a programme on development of Modified Roman Scripts of indigenous tribes of all the 8 Northeastern States. He also pitched in for an airport at Tawang both for tourism and security reasons, assuring that state government will make the requisite land available. Besides, he also reiterated the need for having a separate IAS/IPS cadre for Arunachal Pradesh. PRO Raj Bhavan, CMO

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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.
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