Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Monday held a pre-budget consultative meeting with various Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and sought suggestions from them for inclusive in the state budget.
Welcoming representatives of Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), Nyishi Elite Society (NES), Galo Welfare Society (GWS), Adi Bane Kebang (ABK), Sajalong Elite Society (SES), Aka Elite Society (AES), Tanw Supun Dukun (TSD), Tagin Cultural Society, Cultural and Literary Society of Mishmis (CALSOM), Khandu sought suggestions from them for inclusion in the state budget this year. The meeting was also attended by Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society (IMCLS), Sherdukpen Employees Welfare Association (SEWA), Tangsa Literary and Cultural Development Society (TLCDS) and Wancho Cultural Society (WCS).
The Chief Minister, however, regretted that many CBOs could not make it to the meeting due to various reasons but expressed hope that in all such meetings in the future every community of the state will be represented.
“Ours is a unique state with diverse cultures and distinct needs. It is the endeavour of the state government to be innovative in preparation of the state budget by incorporating genuine suggestions and concerns of all communities of the state. “CBOs representing their tribes would be in a better place to suggest ways and means to the government for development and welfare of their own communities,” he said.
Khandu reiterated that change cannot be made overnight but a start has to be made and assured that the ‘start’ would begin with this year’s budget. “This year’s budget will be based on a pan-Arunachal concept,” he assured.
Giving a background on the new concept, Mein, who will be presenting the budget 2017-18 as the Finance Minister, informed that budget would be prepared in an altogether different mode from this year. “There will be no Plan and Non-Plan heads in this budget as it used to be but it will be broadly divided into two categories – Capital and Revenue heads,” he revealed. The budget session of the state assembly would be held from March 6 to 15.
Mein informed that there would only be State Annual Development Agenda (SADA) under BE and hence no State Development Council (SDC) meet would be held to finalise budgetary proposals.
“Therefore, our focus will be to take up genuine, necessary and utmost important proposals under SADA that would benefit each and every section of the society,” he said while asserting that sectors like education, health, agriculture/horticulture and tourism would be given priority. While appreciating the Chief Minister and his Deputy, the CBOs unanimously expressed gratitude and affirmed that such a gesture from the government would pave way in creating a holistic developmental path for the state as even minor communities, who do not have representations in the government, will have their say in decision making.
Almost all the CBOs expressed concern over the education scenario of the state with regard to upgradation of schools without proper infrastructure and sufficient number of teachers and declining quality of education being imparted in government schools.
AITF suggested that the state Education department could be divided into 2-3 divisions headed by one Joint or Zonal Director to efficiently manage the affairs of schools. It further suggested making computer education mandatory and strict monitoring of private schools and colleges. (PTI)
