Devesh
Dubey, New Delhi, July 8: Situation on Indochina border is discerning and needs
immediate attention as in a recently released map, China has shown Arunachal
Pradesh as its territory; which has drawn strong criticism from India. On
India’s part, a lot is to be done to secure the border areas. The most
important step being developing infrastructure across borders to aid our border
security forces. Narendra Modi Government proposes an additional allocation of
Rs 5,000 crore in the upcoming Union Budget to resettle people in the areas
along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. This Rs 5,000
crore allocation is over and above the earlier allocation of Rs 28,000 crore
sanctioned previously by the Center.
Lack
of proper communication facilities and basic amenities in border areas has
compelled people to migrate to mainstream towns in search of income generating
avenues, which is a major cause of concern from country’s security point of
view. Needless to say that development of proper communication and road
connectivity is a prerequisite for hassle free movement of armed and
paramilitary forces in sensitive border areas.
Now,
primary agenda for the government is to speed up the border area development. Grant
from Central Government shows their concern towards the issue. Nabam Tuki’s
Government in the state has already fast-tracked completion of projects started
during previous tenure. For that matter, state government has planned that all
money allotted will be spent for developing border roads, building schools, and
hospitals, electrifying border areas, establishing telephone lines, creating
border outposts and providing all basic amenities which will encourage people
to resettle.
On
part of the state government, administrative offices in such border areas are
being setup to bridge the distance between officials and the public. However,
more than 20 such administrative centers remain which do not have road
connectivity. Less than 30 percent inhabitants in the state have access to
all-weather roads. With a road density of only 22%, the state compares poorly
with the national average of 80% (approx) and the North East’s average of more
than 50%.
In
the past two years, state government has shown keen interest in infrastructural
development in the state. Despite shortfalls, state has been making concerted
efforts to step up investment in development of roads, bridges, hydropower,
etc. A scheme has been introduced, under which free rice will be distributed to
border inhabitants. To be precise, 10 kg free rice per person per month is
given in all border villages within close proximity of international boundaries.
Mini and small hydro projects have been proposed for the electrification of
these villages. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) the
government constructed 394Kms roads covering 85 habitations last year. The next
target is to complete 450Kms of roads covering 137 habitations in the current
year under the flagship programme. Three important roads - Bameng to Lada,
Tuting to Singha and Miao to Vijoynagar have been cleared by the Govt of India
and sanctioned. The Harmuti – Itanagar railway project is complete and recently,
Arunachal Pradesh Capital Itanagar was successfully put on India's Railway Map.
With these initiatives, implemented properly, socioeconomic condition of people
will improve and in the long run government will strive towards sustainable
development.
Given
the difficult geographical terrains on Indian side, it can be inferred it will
not be easy to speed up infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh. But it
is Central Government’s Constitutional duty to make basic amenities available in
border areas. This demand should not be looked upon as a mere demand of any
state, but as a call for the integrity and sovereignty of our nation.
Source: 'Themetrolive.com'
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