Itanagar: Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today advocated for a special approach by the Centre towards north-eastern states while preparing policies, keeping in view various challenges of the region.
“The north-east region cannot be considered at par with other states of the country owing to its geographical factors and we need a different outlook for the region especially in terms of rural connectivity and other rural development programmes,” the minister said while addressing the 27th Statehood Day celebration here at Indira Gandhi Park this morning.
Ramesh, who arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit to the state, said the Centre had accorded top priority to development of Arunachal Pradesh and during the last five years, many central flagship programmes were implemented including projects under the Prime Minister developmental package announced during 2008.
Jairam assues all possible help for rural development in the state.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress of various developmental projects in the state, the minister said all challenges hampering development in the state would be addressed.
“We will ensure that every penny is judiciously spent so that people could witness visible development taking place in the once neglected state,” he said.
Announcing several rural development projects for the state, Ramesh said all the 4,000 rural habitation in the state which are yet to be connected by roads would be connected by all-weather roads under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme within the next five years.
The union minister also announced an amount of Rs 50 crore and Rs 170 crore for construction of 55 km long Bameng-Lada road in East Kameng district and 155 km long Miao-Vijaynagar road in Changlang district respectively, the foundation stones for which were laid by him Tuesday. (PTI)