CM Tuki laudsArunachal’s Mebo constituency for food grain-linked hard work

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki  lauded the people of Mebo constituency in East Siang district for their hard work put into providing food grains to the region.

A vast plain land along the banks of River Siang, Mebo is considered as rice bowl of the Siang belt.

Tuki praised the people for being pioneers in the field of education and politics.

Tuki called upon the people to continue to guide the state in the path of development.

Tuki informed that the Center has approved establishment of an Agriculture College at Pasighat and expressed optimism that his prophesy of Pasighat becoming an educational hub of the state is coming true.

He also announced Rs 2 crore for construction of Cement-Concrete Road for Mebo township and sufficient funds for flood control measures as per the recommendations of the Central Team which had recently visited the area.

Pasighat to be hub of HRD in Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said Pasighat in East Siang district would one day become state hub of human resource development. 

"Our first college - Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC) - was established in Pasighat years ago and still running strong. A horticulture college is also here and with an Agriculture College coming up in the next couple of years, Pasighat is all set to become the center of human resource development for our state

Citing the first ever state university named as Arunachal University as a pet project of the state government, Tuki assured a sum of Rs 20 crore for its infrastructure development in the first phase. 

To a demand for augmentation of the existing water supply system of the township, he further assured Rs 3 crore for it. 

A proposal for augmenting the existing system by drawing water from a river source about 18 Km away is under consideration of the concerned department initiated by the local MLA and Education Minister Bosiram Siram. Expressing concern over the delay in start of work on the airport in Itnagar, Tuki appealed to the people of Pasighat to help in facilitating speedy construction of the airport .

Reiterating that development of Arunachal is due to generosity of Congress, Tuki said, Congress leaders at the helm of affairs always had a soft corner for Arunachal Pradesh and as a result it is one of the most progressive states of the country despite natural hindrances.

How Arunachal will see development?

400 crore exploration project through petroleum companies whose corporate social responsibility (CSR) would help build an inclusive Arunachalee society 'as the society to which Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna, belonged is sanctified.

Democracy envisions a welfare government which Congress alone could provide, said Union DoNER Minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar, adding that the PM's huge package including the Trans-Arunachal Highway project is an example of Government of India's special attention to this border state.

Arunachal has proved itself as a well administered and fast developing state for which Tuki deserves all appreciation. However, the development would continue if Congress rules in the Centre, as was proven with higher allocation of Rs 7,900 crore and Rs 11,175 crore in the 11th Plan and 12th Plan for Arunachal, he justified.

Arunachal and Assam being close neighbours could jointly work for benefiting the peoples of both states.

 Chief Minister Nabam Tuki defined development as inclusive growth through proper utilization of resources for prosperity of every family; road link to each village; schools and hospitals for proper education and good health and security to every Arunachalee which have been demonstrated through many policies and schemes making them models for the country.

He enumerated several schemes, such as the skill development training under which 2,000 youths have been employed within a short time, turning the state into the largest producer of kiwi (which reflects the importance given to agri-horti and allied sectors), implementation of the National Food Security Act, policy to promote sports and games sector with 10 percent job reservation for sports persons, road connectivity and rail line progressing very fast, 1,500 constables recruited last year while 1,700 are undergoing training, one CRPF battalion to be deployed in the state soon, woman police station to be set up in each district soon which began with the opening of one PS at Itanagar, and delegation of powers to panchayats, Tuki said that his government aimed at taking the state to new heights.

Grant of 10 percent DA, 10 percent hike in HRA, hike in the wages of contingency employees and honourarium of gaon burahs were recognition of good performance of the GoAP employees of all categories, the CM said and urged all to work with dedication in greater welfare of the state.

Proposals worth Rs 260 crore have been proposed under the MSDP, a nationwide flagship programme of Go.

After four year's demonstrative development under the Tuki's leadership with the support of UPA-I and II, today's event would testify the achievements made so far. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi have been giving support for state's development through party's manifesto.

Under Nabam Tuki’s tenure the Centre approved 57 new roads in the State

The Union ministry of rural development's pre-empowered committee (EC) for the Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has recommended approval of 57 road works covering a total of 842 km in Arunachal Pradesh. The EC's recommended that the 57 road projects, including 58 long-span bridges, will be constructed at a total cost of about Rs 819 crore.

Once completed, the road projects will provide connectivity to 170 rural habitations, many of them in remote areas. In a letter to  Arunachal Pradesh CM Nabam Tuki, Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh said that of the 57 road works, 21 projects, including 46 bridges, are in areas along the India-China border.

Ramesh said that earlier the Miao-Mazgaon section of the 157-km Miao-Mazgaon-Gandhigram-Vijoynagar road up to the India-Myanmar border was cleared by the ministry.

Development of ten identified slums approved during Nabam Tuki 's leadership

With the SLSMC approval, nodal agency of RAY in the State, the department of Urban Development would go ahead with preparation of a DPR for submission to the Union Ministry for final approval and sanction.

The Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) aims to safeguard th

e economic future of cities by integrating the urban poor into economic mainstream, and providing decent shelter and services to all. Its basic objective is to develop slums into proper dwelling places with all basic amenities as well as prevent further creation of slums in urban areas through a two–pronged strategy – curative and preventive.

The Chief Minister observed that the ‘preventive’ aspect of the objective of RAY holds more significance than the ‘curative’ part, especially in context of the state capital Itanagar.

“Development of urban slums and their integration into the mainstream economy is alright but we must ensure that there is no further mushrooming of slums. Only when we can ensure this, we will be successfully implementing the ambitious project of UPA–II,” he said.

The Chief Minister also urged all – officials and politicians – to discourage encroachment of government premises as he felt that most of the slums come up in government land such as parks, industrial areas, official premises, etc or encroach into it.

Tuki advised the experts and the departmental officials to take into consideration all aspects of future development of the identified slums while preparing the DPR.

On his suggestion the SLSMC approved 10 slums falling under the ‘most vulnerable’ category from the 29 identified slums in Itanagar, Naharlagun and Nirjuli for development in the first phase. Of the 14 identified slums in Itanagar 5 would be taken up in the first phase, 4 from the 16 identified in Naharlagun and one from the 3 identified slums in Nirjuli.

Fish culture to be promoted in Arunachal

"We will incorporate a new clause where every power developer must release adequate fish seedlings in reservoirs created while constructing dams so that it will help in sustainable development of the local community," Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said.
         
The state was poised for a blue revolution with the state

government initiating several measures for protein security and livelihood support through sustainable aqua culture, Tuki said, adding efforts were on to establish fish ponds in all the villages in the next five year plan period.
     
"Therefore, not only do we need to develop agro-climatic zone specific new technologies but also to readjust and refine the existing ones to fit into the local agro-climatic condition and changing dimensions taking into account the interests of our farmers," the Chief Minister said.
    
"Only parts of the available resources have been harnessed leaving a vast resource still un-explored and remains in their pristine condition," he lamented.
    
"The Fisheries sector in the state is operated on traditional lines and is not exposed to the emerging opportunities. All such opportunities having impact needs to be tapped and addressed with utmost seriousness and scientific temperament," he said.
    
Several opportunities like ornamental fish culture, trout farming, freshwater prawn culture, Cat fish culture, integrated farming are emerging in this sector.

Appreciation by the Prime Minister

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has appreciated the recommendations of the Committee headed by B K Chaturvedi, Member, Planning Commission, on 'Development of Hill States arising from management of forest lands with special focus on creation of infrastructure, livelihood and human development'.

The Committee has submitted its report with recommendations

in two parts-Process issues and Fiscal Compensation.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Tuki expressed gratitude to the Union Government for commissioning the study and requested him to implement the recommendations in toto to achieve the purpose of the study when it was commissioned.

The Chief Minister particularly welcomed the recommendation for earmarking 2% of annual GBS per year for this purpose during rest of the Twelfth Five year Plan period.

"Your intervention will set in process a giant leap for the Himalayan and Northeast Region of India to reach at par with the rest of the Country," he observed.

Playing a pro-active role for the benefit of the whole North East region from the said recommendations, Tuki also called upon his counterparts in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim to take up the cause by taking it up with the Government of India on behalf of their respective states.

He has written letters to the Chief Ministers of rest of the North Eastern states requesting them to appeal with the Central Government to accept the recommendations of the Committee. He reasoned that the recommendation for earmarking 2% of annual GBS per year during rest of the Twelfth Five year Plan period would be a shot in the arm for the region to push in over-all development and progress.

Rule of law is supreme for Arunachal Pradesh

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has said that establishing rule of law in the state was the top agenda of his government and by adopting the policy of zero tolerance, the state government has been able to reign over the bandh culture in the last one year.

Tuki said that efforts were taken to minimize crime in the state by strengthening the state police besides establishment of women police station in the capital to check crime against women.

“Three new police stations have been sanctioned for Chimpu, Niti-Vihar and Papu Hill in the state capital and will be made functional shortly besides creation of a “C” class Police Station at Nafra in West Kameng and Pangin in East Siang have been approved.  He informed that the state government was planning to set up specific women cells in all the districts and contemplating recruitment of 20 women sub-inspectors and 180 women constables soon which will strengthen the police force. He also informed that 1, 526 constables of Arunachal Pradesh Police have been recruited from Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts. Moreover, recruitment of 4th and 5th IRBn has been completed and about 1760 personnel are undergoing training.

He further informed that the Union Home Ministry has approved one CRPF battalion of about 1000 personnel for Itanagar and in the next few months they will be deployed on duty,” he said

In regards to devolution of power to Panchayat, he said that the government has constituted State Finance Commission to examine the case and place its report to the government for appropriate decision, besides government has approved the District Zilla Parishad Chairperson as the Chairperson of the District Planning Committee excluding the notified urban areas and construction of Zilla Parishad office in all the 17 districts.

The Chief Minister said that Arunachal Pradesh became the second state in the country after Himachal Pradesh to raise its share of own resources in the annual plan financing in 2012-13.

“Our share was up by 134 per cent which is tremendous achievement and we are committed to maintain the tempo in all coming years,” he said.

Tuki said the state’s revenue from its own tax and non-tax resource was Rs 894 crore in the last fiscal showing an increase of 32 per cent revenue collection of the previous year.

Tuki said that the state government’s initiative of one lakh employment generation programme was achieved successfully and his government was planning to conduct a two-day job mela and interview here from August 30 for employment generation in both public and private sectors in collaboration with the National Skill Development Council.

“My government in order to encourage girl child education has launched a new scheme ‘Vidya’ under which every girl student of Class V in government school for continuing education will get a fixed deposit of Rs 5000 each with interest after completion of Class XII.

For this an amount of five crore has been allocated which will benefit more than ten thousand girls in the current year,” he said.

In order to break the barrier and ensure attendance and hygiene of the girl students from Class VI to XII in government schools, sanitary napkins to about 82,000 girl students would be provided and an amount of two crore was sanctioned, Tuki said.

In the agriculture sector, he said, the state had registered an overall growth of 9.2 per cent crop production against the average growth rate of 6.5 per cent.

“We are going to launch new schemes like agriculture mission, Arunachal Krishi Karman Award and central sector scheme on oil palm cultivation.

Chief Minister Agriculture Mechanization programme will be continued this year and under this an amount of 5.13 crore has been allocated with a target to benefit 1600 farmers across the state,” he said.

To encourage weavers under weavers health insurance scheme, 6000 weavers have been targeted out of which 2546 have already been benefited, he said and added that under weavers credit card scheme, 618 beneficiaries have been already selected.

“We have set a target to complete 450 kms of roads covering 137 habitations in the current year under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Three important roads Bameng to Lada, Tuting to Singha and Miao to Vijaynagar have also been cleared by the Centre recently.

Centre dedicates Textile promotion scheme to NER

The NERTPS is an Integrated Scheme launched for the overall development of the handloom and handicrafts sector with components like Cluster Development, Technology Upgradation, Marketing Promotion and Skill Development.

 While emphasising the fact that the new scheme is ideal for the women weavers of the state, Tuki appealed the Union Ministry of Textiles to allocate funds under the scheme for modernisation of equipments and other infrastructure facilities for them. He highlighted the fact that the women weavers of the state have been historically producing traditional garments which are rich in style and design.

"Our weavers are expert and capable of producing competitive products for the national as well as the international markets" Tuki said while seeking adequate support from the Central Government.He disclosed steps taken by the state government which has been rendering looms and other equipments to the women weavers through the CM's Loin Loom Scheme.

The Chief Minister also stressed on the Skill Development component of the NERTPS so as to benefit local youth who can not only gain expertise through training and employment but also would later be in a position to take up entrepreneurial ventures in the sector. The skill development outlay of the scheme would be aligned with the CM's Skill Development Mission which would benefit a sizeable population of youth in the coming years.

Tuki woos foreign investors

A five-member Arunachal Pradesh delegation, led by chief minister Nabam Tuki, passionately woos international investments in Canada and the US, while projecting the unique natural advantages enjoyed by the frontier state in various sectors.

Tuki marketed the state as the future powerhouse of the country and the next major tourist destination.

Tuki invited various prospective investors, who attended the meeting, to visit the state and see for themselves the limitless possibilities that exist in the state and assured them of full support from the government in all projects that they propose to undertake there.

The team has held meetings with Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate General of India at Skylink Business Centre in Toronto.

State planning secretary Ankur Garg made a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on the investment opportunities in the state.

Arunachal Pradesh planning and finance minister Chowna Mein highlighted the unique cultural diversity of the state and suggested how it should be looked upon as the centre of the South Asian region.

The president of the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Satish Thakkar, while praising the effort and vision of the chief minister, promised to lead a delegation of potential investors and visit the state sometime this year and firm up specific areas to invest in Arunachal Pradesh.

He also offered to ink a memorandum of understanding to promote tourism in that state. The Consul General of India in Toronto, Pritpal Singh, also attended the meeting.

An advance delegation comprising tourism minister Pema Khandu, Garg and tourism secretary Sonam Chombay, in association with the Consulate General of India represented by the Trade Commissioner of India, New York Sugandh Rajaram, held meetings with the US India Business Council at Harvard Club in New York seeking investments in hydropower, tourism and food processing sector.

A delegation of the American-Asian Hotel Owners Association will visit Arunachal Pradesh in April to identify potential areas for investment in the hospitality sector.

Nabam Tuki bats for development of sports in Arunachal Pradesh

Reiterating the focus of his government on promoting and developing  Sports in Arunachal Pradesh, chief minister Nabam Tuki said a holistic sports policy that will cater to the infrastructural needs, create opportunities for sportspersons and reward the meritorious among them is on the anvil. 

Tuki has already resolved to reserve 10 per cent of jobs under the sports quota for recruitment in the state police force.He disclosed that his government has earmarked Rs 20 crore for creating outdoor and indoor stadiums across the state. 

"Sports can be a great messenger for peace and brotherhood while also developing into a lucrative industry. Peace begets development and development begets peace," said the source, quoting Tuki. According to him, inclusive tournaments like the one in Jairampur have the power to keep the youth from straying away from the mainstream. The chief minister called upon the youth to streamline their potential. 

He said the youth of today should not depend upon the government for employment but create self-employment avenues and become employers themselves. "I envision an Arunachal where no one will be unemployed and no one will run after employment, where there will be no employees but only employers!" the CM said. 

 The chief minister announced an amount of Rs 5 crore under NEC for the construction of a stadium to begin next year and another Rs 1 crore for construction of a convention hall in Jairampur sub-division. 

Citing the immense potential of Changlang district in the agriculture and horticulture fields, Tuki assured the government's support to local tea cultivators in the district. He also expressed his government's will to develop the tourism sector, especially in context of the Stillwell Road and the Pangsau Pass. 

 He also said he would place the demand for the creation of circle headquarters at Rima-Putok, Renuk, Longtoi-Lingkok and EAC headquarter at Manmao .

A Look: National Food Security Ordinance in Arunachal

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As per the provisions of the Ordinance, a person belonging to priority households would be entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidized price.

Supply of rice is to be made available to the eligible persons at the subsidized rate of Rs 3 per kg and wheat for Rs 2 per kg.

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said that the Centre had earmarked 66.3 percent of rural and 51.55 percent of urban population in the state to be covered under this programme.

"A total of 8.71 lakh people including 7.9 lakh rural population and 1.62 lakh urban population will be covered, recording an increase of almost 70 per cent of beneficiaries in comparison to 3,92,843 population under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) earlier purchasing rice under BPL and AAY scheme," he said.

"A country cannot progress with half of its citizens going hungry every other day. Ensuring a bowl of rice to the hungry stomach could be the best scheme ever introduced in the country which would serve as a panacea to many ills of our nation," Tuki said.

The population of 2011 census has been taken as the basis to calculate the percentage of coverage under priority household.

29 crore for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan by Arunachal Pradesh govt

The Arunachal Pradesh government released an amount of Rs 29 crore as state's matching share for implementing Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the state.

"This will facilitate the Union ministry of human resource development to release the remaining share of Rs 175 crore meant for salary of teachers of SSA and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) besides other SSA programmes,"

While showing serious concern over the enhancement of KGBV school teacher's salary, the chief minister assured to take up the matter with the ministry of human resource development immediately.

He observed that, it is imperative on the part of Central government to change the salary norms for KGBV teachers serving in tough and inhospitable terrains of Arunachal Pradesh which shares international borders with China, Myanmar and Bhutan.

Arunachal takes step to give jobs to youth

 

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said the government would bear the cost of training the youth, expected to last three to six months.

"I am making a sacrifice. I am spending on the youth by taking money out of other projects like road construction. This is to build the future of the state," Tuki said.

He said unemployment was growing in Arunachal Pradesh at 15 percent annually. It was estimated to be about two lakh of the state's population of 14 lakh.

"We want to create one lakh employment opportunities in the current five year plan," Tuki said.

He said the target was to create 25,000 employment opportunities this year and provide employment to all the youth in the state in the next 10 years. 

Tuki asked youth to seize opportunities in the private sector both inside and outside the state.

The governor said about 55 percent of the state's population was in the employable age group of 15 to 59 years. He said the young should not be shy of moving out of the state.

"We expect that at least 70 percent of the selected youth will be absorbed in jobs after training."

CM’S PVY BENEFICIARIES SELECTED FOR LOHIT

11 members were selected for CM’s Paryatan Vikas Yozana 2014for Lohit District informed District Tourism Officer. 

 Bela Namshum, Priya Boo, Chow Miniching Namchoo, Chow Taseng Moungkang, Mimu Linggi, Chow Sanjay Mein, Chow Fatra Longkan, Miss Binita Danjee, Chow Kongkham Chowpoo, Chow Khetmoon Khenloong and Miss Bomwesai Boo were selected as beneficiaries as per the recommendation of the Board member headed by the Paul Choudhary EAC (Judicial) as Chairman, with District Transport Officer and District Tourism Officer as member

Mishmis Celebrate Reh in grand style Festivals help ‘rebuild a society of mutual trust

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has called upon the people to take full advantage of festivals by making relationships and inter-mingling for peaceful coexistence that would pave the way for state’s overall development in a congenial atmosphere.

Tuki said such festivals are great occasions to know each other, mingle and develop a relationship of mutual understanding and respect. “Festivals are not only a bridge between us and our traditions but also an occasion to rebuild a society of mutual understanding and trust,” he said and praised the Mishmis – inhabiting Lohit, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Anjaw and upper reaches of Upper Siang district – for sticking to their roots and preserving their rich and colorful traditions.

 Tuki however, expressed concern over alienation of youths of some tribes from their cultural roots. “Most of our youngsters do not even speak their mother tongue. This is not good for our future. It’s our – elders’ – duty to pass on our rich cultural heritage to our youths. Let our festivals be a gateway to our culture not only for the outside world but our youngsters too,” he beckoned.

 The Chief Minister reiterated that the govt will always encourage celebration of indigenous festivals of all tribes and to begin with, funds have been placed for celebration of main festivals of all the major tribes of the state.

 To a plea from local legislator Karikho Kri, Tuki assured to place Rs 1.5 crore for construction of a Mishmi Cultural Center at Teluliang from SPA. To a big round of applause, he also announced to provide Rs 1 crore during the next financial year to develop the Tamladu Festival Ground at Tezu. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Ninong Ering, who was the guest of honour of the celebration, also appreciated the Mishmis for coming together to celebrate Reh under one umbrella for the first time.

 He said the initiative would further strengthen the bond between the Mishmis who are spread across five districts of the state. 

RAY OF HOPE FOR BOTANICAL GARDEN

Acknowledging the potential of the botanical garden to become a tourist attraction, the CM asked the forest department to submit a fresh estimate for the garden’s beautification and redesigning of its lodge. “Constructing a recreation park for children and reconstructing the lodge require urgent attention,” local MLA and PHE&WS Parliamentary Secretary Karikho Kri had earlier informed the CM.

 The garden, owned by the forest department, has remained partially deserted over the years due to lack of fund to develop it.

 “Recently, the department proposed to introduce a toy train, to be funded by the union railways ministry; however, it has been put on hold owing to delay in availability of materials and the incomplete security wall around the garden,” DFO T Pertin disclosed.

The entire garden needs complete facelift as its abandoned swimming pool and dilapidated cafeteria along with litters of plastic and broken bottles are an eyesore. The CM’s interest has brought a ray of hope to develop the deserted garden into a favourite spot for the people of Lohit.

Arunachal Pradesh stresses on human resource development

Development can be effective only when human resource, the most important resource is adequately capable and strengthened to achieve the goal.

 The chief minister said that human resources need to be properly oriented to ensure that the benefits reach the targeted groups and result in better quality of life along with sustainability.

He called for setting up of more extension training centres (ETCs) in the state as training is the most important ingredient for success of the programme and assured all possible support for strengthening the institutions, like SIRD, the nodal agency for imparting RD related training.

 Appreciating the state government for devolving powers to the PRIs, RD Parliamentary Secretary Punji Mara said that this has increased the responsibilities of the PRI functionaries by manifolds. Therefore, their training is of immense important without which success would remain a mirage.

He exhorted all the participants to undergo the training with due seriousness so that the objective of rural development is achieved in our land-locked state where population are sparsely located in far-flung and remote areas.

 

The department has conducted extensive trainings throughout the state to create awareness and impart basic knowledge on RD programmes.

Development is the buzzword in Arunachal

With agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy development, tea, rubber cultivation, tourism, health, education and sports and youth development being the thrust areas of development, the CM said while new policies are being framed to achieve various goals, higher, technical and medical colleges are being opened to develop skilled manpower.

The Tea Board of India and Rubber Board of India at his initiative are ready to extend help in tea and rubber cultivation. New policies of the Tuki government includes self-employment schemes for youth with Rs4 crore earmarked for schemes with 50% subsidy; Rs3 crore for CM’s Health Insurance scheme; Rs3 lakh subsidy for creating facilities, become tour operators and guides to boost tourism; Rs25 lakh and Rs1 crore for taking part and winning gold medal in Olympics respectively. Besides fund for conducting rural sports, Rs6.23 crore earmarked for sports infrastructures all over the state covering each village; Rs36 crore sanctioned for developing a cultural village at Itanagar; Rs1.5 crore earmarked for tribal festivals; and Rs1,000 monthly allowance for the handicapped.

Reflecting that it proves ‘paisa kam kaam jyada’ he happily announced sanction of Rs2.38 crore under SPA this fiscal for its completion. He also announced Rs2 crore this fiscal for tea & rubber cultivation as pleaded by ETGM for toeing GoAP line; township roads for Manmao, Nampong and Rima-Putak circles to be taken under RIDF, CRPF, NLCPR schemes and Rs1 crore under SPA this fiscal for building a convention hall with 500-capacity at Terit Nagar.

Tuki assured that water supply schemes would be considered next year under NRDWP while informing another tourist lodge with indigenous architect would be recommended to the Center. He also assured funds for Jairampur circuit house and to take up the issue of extension of gas pipeline from Jagun in Assamto Jairampur with ONGC.

Auguring fund under SPA for RangfraCollege, he directed the PWD SE Duggam Ete to send a priority list to the GoAP to the thunderous applause of the gathering

On the problem of shortage of PDS items, the CM said that the present system has to be changed by making the people self-sufficient to not depend on government supply

Highlighting numerous initiatives of his government, he said the green corridor along the foothill areas would bring pollution-free industries to herald a new era. The state enriched with hills, plains, water and huge minerals is waiting to be tapped. Coal unwanted few years ago has turned diamond today, he said, adding the resources of the state are yet to be surveyed.

Moreover, the Stillwell road needs to be reopened soon to link the rich South East Asian countries as Arunachal is located centrally to 10 countries within 1,000 km aerial distance.

Tuki appreciated the tourist lodge, which was inaugurated earlier by Agri, Horti, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Setong Sena.

Hydropower production, expansion of health facilities, education, drinking water are must to ensure that development and electricity reach each household,” he asserted.

Pointing out that GoAP is evolving a master plan for sustainable agri-horti development, Finance, PWD and Planning Minister Chowna Mein, in his address, said the GDP growth of the state was higher than the nation.

He advocated that the state leaders should move the GoAP for early reopening of the Stillwell road in the greater welfare of entire North Eastern region. Timber and other products from Myanmar would boost the regions’ economy, he justified.

He lauded the CM for accepting his development ideas while explaining the philosophy behind the CMLSM and developing the ETGS, the second inspired by Mein, who earlier inaugurated the tea factory set up at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.17 crore by 249 share holders with Rs. 6.39 crore loan from NCDC with a capacity to produce 25,000 kg tea daily. He thanked Izmir Tikhak and Lemkhung Mossang and land donors of Longwan village for their contributions.

The present GoAP initiatives would herald a new era by tapping the vast natural resources of the state while developing skilled manpower through the innovative school, said WRD Parliamentary Secretary Tinghap Taiju.

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Eco resort to boost tourism in Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki  said that tourism could be money-spinner, besides generating massive direct and indirect employment.

"This is the beginning of growth of spiritual and eco tourism in this part of Arunachal Pradesh with Lord Buddha's relics installed in the pagoda for a week-long exposition providing a golden opportunity for inflow of tourists.

In a picturesque environment overlooking the Golden Pagoda the Rs 469.26 lakh project of Union Tourism Ministry includes four special suits, eight executive suits (twin sharing), two dormitories to accommodate 20 persons each, a restaurant, multipurpose hall, an administrative block, car parking land scapping with flower garden that turn a riot of colours under illuminated night after the evening.

Mini hydro projects to Arunachal Pradesh’s rescue

With mega dams stuck in red tape and the threat of enormous environmental damage if they are approved, mini projects may be the best option for mountainous Arunachal Pradesh

With its perennial rivers and generous forest cover, India’s northeast state of Arunachal Pradesh is considered perfect for hydropower generation Arunachal.

Picturesque Arunachal Pradesh in India’s north-eastern corner, blessed with perennial rivers and a generous forest cover, is sometimes referred to as the country’s potential powerhouse. But it is struggling to cope with its own electricity demands as its people live with hours of outages. And there is little likelihood that the electricity situation will improve anytime soon.

The state government, led by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, has been seeking support from the central government and forums such as the European Union as well as agencies like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for hydropower projects. But there has been little movement.

The state is currently deficit in power. It buys from the national grid and uses diesel generators. India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) says Arunachal Pradesh has the potential to generate 49,126 MW per year from the 89 hydroelectric projects (HEPs) proposed in the state. Though this is installed capacity and actual generation would be far lower – especially in the lean months before spring snow melt and the monsoon – so many hydroelectricity projects would make Arunachal Pradesh a big power provider to the national grid. With major rivers Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang/Dibang, Siang and Lohit all joining to form the Brahmaputra, engineers consider Arunachal Pradesh perfect for hydropower generation.

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Developers from the public and private sectors rushed to the state in the wake of the CEA study, and many projects were started without all mandatory permissions, mainly those that were supposed to deal with damages to the environment. Now permissions have been held up, and most projects have stalled.

Mini hydroelectricity projects have sprung to the rescue. The state’s departments of hydropower and power have so far developed 33.21 MW from 53 mini hydro projects.  Besides, other mini HEPs under the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) are also underway – Ranganadi (405 MW), Kameng (600 MW) and 37 other mini projects with a target of 58.99 MW.

While mega projects will take years to take off, given the layers of approval required and the financial crunch, the state, it appears, will have to manage with its existing mini projects.

If mega power projects were to be approved, experts point out, a huge amount of forest cover, agriculture and dwelling lands will have to be compromised, and along with it flora and fauna. Besides the ecological disturbances, there are also the long-term implications on the socio-cultural fabric of the state.

In this scenario, mini projects can contribute towards the protection of the environment and also resolve some of the socio and political tensions arising out of proposed mega projects– intra and inter community ties, interstate relations, centre-state and international relations.

Still, working on multiple tracks to solve its power woes, the government is lobbying hard to ensure that the mega projects get off the ground. In October this year, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki again approached New Delhi and pressed for an early solution to the many stalled projects.

Earlier in the year, as India’s economy hit a low and the rupee plumbed new depths against the US dollar (crossing Rs. 68 to the dollar in August), Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had said in the lower house of parliament that stalled mega development projects should  be given a go-ahead. This, he believes, is one way to revive the economy.

A meeting of all chief ministers of the states in the northeast – Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim besides Arunachal Pradesh – will be held in January 2014 to review infrastructure in the region.

This is good news for Tuki, who has been trying hard for funds to continue with the ongoing proposals for several infrastructure projects, including HEPs.