Guwahati: Chief Minister of frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu on Sunday flagged
connectivity as the biggest hurdle in the path of development of the landlocked state in the first review meeting of India-China border infrastructure chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Gangtok in Sikkim.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Ministers and representatives of five Himalayan states bordering China .
Khandu in his presentation said Arunachal started very late in development sphere and called for continued support from centre as it is 100% dependent on it. He, however, said Arunachal is moving towards self-reliance as it is coming up with policies to tap state’s vast resources so as to convert it into capital.
He specifically raised concern over migration of people away from the border areas due to lack of basic public facilities and called for steps from the centre to prevent it.
Khandu appreciated the initiative of centre to build frontier highway in the state connecting 11 districts bordering China.
He said the highway would immensely benefit the border people as well benefit the defence personnel for movement along the borders.
Khandu informed the Union Home Minister on declining public appreciation of efficiency BRO’s work efficiency, which according to ground level BRO officials, was attributed to decrease in funds availability with the organisation. He,therefore, requested the Centre to empower the organisation financially so that works on border roads should not suffer.
Speaking on BADP scheme, Khandu appreciated the Union Home Ministry for enhancing the financial grant from Rs 900 crore to Rs 1100 crore this year. He, however, said when these BADP fund was distributed down among the states, Arunachal received a very small share . He also raised the inability of the state to pay 10% share for release of BADP funds. Khandu, therefore, requested Rajnath to take up the matter in the next cabinet.
On relation shared with people of Arunachal with defence and paramilitary forces, the Chief Minister said the presence of these forces has contributed much to the development of the state. He said Arunachal is only state in North East where Hindi is spoken on large scale and attributed it to presence of forces in the state.
