Guwahati: With China’s repeated claim over India’s frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh , the BJP-led NDA government in the Centre has apparently geared up its efforts for development the border areas of apparently to re-assert that the state is an integral part of the country.
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Khiren Rijiju is now in Arunachal Pradesh to review the progress of various border areas development schemes being in the state besides taking stock of internal security scenario in Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the Northeast.
After holding a series of review meeting at Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, with concerned government departments, defence forces and security agencies in Itanagar, Rijiju said his ministry would work tirelessly for securing peace and development in Arunachal Pradesh and the rest of the region as without peace there would be no development.
“The Government of India is according special attention to Arunachal Pradesh as the state is backward in terms of literacy, health services, road communication etc,.” he said hoping for some allowances for the frontier state under ‘Mission Himalayas’ of the NDA government .
Addressing senior ministers of Arunachal including the chief minister Nabam Tuki, senior state government officers and security agencies including ITBP, BRO, Air Force, Army, Telecom department , Rijiju assured all out support and help from the centre for the development of the land locked state.
Informing that the Government of India has decided for relaxation of PMGSY guidelines in respect of Arunachal Pradesh , he said that modalities had also been worked out for granting extra package for BADP fund for the state, a comprehensive package for infrastructure development in border areas, providing basic amenities like electricity, drinking water, road connectivity, besides creating lots of employment avenues in order to discourage migration of people from border areas to urban areas and boost border management.
“Initiative has also been taken up for inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh in the 50 listed
tourist circuits of Government of India,” he said while pointing out that the state although bestowed with huge tourism potential, is plagued by lack of infrastructures, security problem and poor road communication.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki making a presentation before Rijiju highlighted the urgent need for development of state’s hydro power, tourism, horticulture and allied sectors for increased revenue generation and growth, generation of more employment .
Tuki also called for implementation of couple of mission-based outcomes such as quality road connectivity, water supply schemes, good schools and hospitals in some key and strategic administrative locations and requested the MHA to respond to some of the pending and new scheme proposals to be considered over and above the normal BADP allocation.