GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu called on Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Arunachal East MP, Tapir Gao.
During the call on, Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister on financial status of the state and sought financial assistance on development of critical social sector of health and education in the state.
Khandu urged for financial assistance for upgradation and development of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science (TRIHMS) including making operational the tertiary care cancer treatment centre in the institute. He also urged for assistance for establishment of Ayurveda Medical College, Pharmacy College and funding for establishment of AIIMS like autonomous institution in the state.
On Education sector, Chief Minister sought assistance for meeting the infrastructure gap informing that the Central government schemes on education has helped state government only to a certain extent. Seeking special financial assistance, Chief Minister said piece meal approach at infrastructure upgradation has not helped much and urged for transformational intervention and not incremental one.
Besides education and health sector, Chief Minister also sought intervention for massive development thrust especially for insurgency infested areas of Tirap, Changlang and Longding district and for development of border areas along India China border.
Further, the Chief Minister sought maximum funding for construction of Green Field Airport at Hollongi stating that Arunachal is the only state in India that does not have airport in its state capital.
Also to foster economic resilience and to make financial services at affordable cost to all individuals and businesses in the state, Chief Minister sought assistance for financial inclusion to benefit farmers, unemployed youths, senior citizens and all needy people.