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The recent Prime Minister’s visit is just a hint of what is to come ahead in the future. If things go according to plan then Arunachal might just become one of the most successful states in the country. The new leadership which came in to being on the 9th of April 2007 under the leadership of Shri Dorjee Khandu has been working on war footing to provide a better future to the people of Arunachal. The new government has been making smart deals to increase the exchequer. The recent deal for power with NHPC was awarded the ‘Smart deal of the year 2007’ by Eastern Panorama. The recent visit of the Prime Minister after more than a decade is an indication of the things to come. On his maiden visit, the Prime Minister of the country, Dr. Manmohan Singh announced a package worth Rs 10,000 crore for the state.
The program started with laying of the foundation stones for proposed projects followed by the State song of Arunachal. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Mr. Dorjee Khandu in his welcome speech greeted the Prime Minister along with all the dignitaries and the general public present at the venue. He brought to the notice of the Prime Minister of the developments that his government was able to make in a short span of just over ten months. Remarkably, he has revived the Apex Bank (Bank for the common people of Arunachal Pradesh) which was closed due to corruption amounting to the tune of Rs 200 crore. The bank is now completely functional and has 32 branches across the State with an addition of 4000 new customers. One significant rule that has been passed with respect to the bank is that no political leader can be its Chairman. The other highlight of his tenure till date is the revival of the PDS (Public Distribution System). The FCI (Food Co-operation of India) was brought into action after the reported scam of false billing and massive diversion of items to the black market by the unscrupulous transporters. Earlier the Union Food Ministry had stopped giving subsidy after learning about the scam. Presently six new depots have been opened up at Tawang, Seppa, Ziro, Daporijo, Tezu and Anini besides the existing ones. Today the food supplies have begun and the targeted consumers are reaping the benefits through the fair price shops. Another major challenge that Mr. Khandu has taken is his head on fight against corruption. Leaders all across India can take heed from his actions when he launched an investigation when lakhs of rupees was sent to him in a concealed file marked urgent. Kudos Mr. Khandu.
Also the Chief Minister thanked the center for taking appropriate steps in reviving the beautiful state of
Arunachal. He informed the gathering that the Power generating capacity of the state, if explored fully, could reach 75,000 MW rather then the current stated 55,908 MW. For better guidance and to avoid any misunderstanding due to communication gap between the army and the locals, he requested the dignitaries present to give an Arunachal Escort Battalion. This is a very intelligent step and the neighboring states of the region must think about the idea. All in all a very prepared leader with a vision to put the state ahead submitted a seventeen point memorandum to the Prime Minister.
After his welcome speech other dignitaries spoke on the occasion. The Minister of State for Railways, Mr. Narayanbhai Rathwa announced the new rail link (measuring 32 kms) between Itanagar and Harmuti. Rs. 156 Crore was sanctioned in 1996 - 97 for the construction of this railway line. However, on request of the then state government the project did not see the light of day. Today this project is estimated to cost around Rs. 245 Crore. Many more NEFR (North Eastern Frontier Railways) are in the pipeline.
Many other ministers spoke on the occasion. Finally when the Prime Minister came forward to speak he was greeted with loud clapping by the capacity crowd present. The Prime Minister stated that he had analysed thoroughly about the needs of the people and would take definitive steps to provide and fulfill the needs. He said that the first and foremost necessity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh was linking all of Arunachal by road, rail and air. The second important task was to provide the basic amenities to far flung places of Arunachal in the form of communication, electricity and drinking water. The third most important need is to provide quality education and better health facility to the people. And finally he stated the importance of development. The program at IG park concluded with a showcase of the rich tribal inheritance of the state in which a brief glimpse of many of the tribal dances were presented.
All in all, the Prime Minister’s visiting China and the subsequent visit to Arunachal Pradesh with the current package is more like an indication to the various anti-national parties that Arunachal Pradesh is very much a part of India and that India is not ready to part even an inch of the place from where sunlight first breaks the long darkness in the country.
The program started with laying of the foundation stones for proposed projects followed by the State song of Arunachal. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Mr. Dorjee Khandu in his welcome speech greeted the Prime Minister along with all the dignitaries and the general public present at the venue. He brought to the notice of the Prime Minister of the developments that his government was able to make in a short span of just over ten months. Remarkably, he has revived the Apex Bank (Bank for the common people of Arunachal Pradesh) which was closed due to corruption amounting to the tune of Rs 200 crore. The bank is now completely functional and has 32 branches across the State with an addition of 4000 new customers. One significant rule that has been passed with respect to the bank is that no political leader can be its Chairman. The other highlight of his tenure till date is the revival of the PDS (Public Distribution System). The FCI (Food Co-operation of India) was brought into action after the reported scam of false billing and massive diversion of items to the black market by the unscrupulous transporters. Earlier the Union Food Ministry had stopped giving subsidy after learning about the scam. Presently six new depots have been opened up at Tawang, Seppa, Ziro, Daporijo, Tezu and Anini besides the existing ones. Today the food supplies have begun and the targeted consumers are reaping the benefits through the fair price shops. Another major challenge that Mr. Khandu has taken is his head on fight against corruption. Leaders all across India can take heed from his actions when he launched an investigation when lakhs of rupees was sent to him in a concealed file marked urgent. Kudos Mr. Khandu.
Also the Chief Minister thanked the center for taking appropriate steps in reviving the beautiful state of
Arunachal. He informed the gathering that the Power generating capacity of the state, if explored fully, could reach 75,000 MW rather then the current stated 55,908 MW. For better guidance and to avoid any misunderstanding due to communication gap between the army and the locals, he requested the dignitaries present to give an Arunachal Escort Battalion. This is a very intelligent step and the neighboring states of the region must think about the idea. All in all a very prepared leader with a vision to put the state ahead submitted a seventeen point memorandum to the Prime Minister.After his welcome speech other dignitaries spoke on the occasion. The Minister of State for Railways, Mr. Narayanbhai Rathwa announced the new rail link (measuring 32 kms) between Itanagar and Harmuti. Rs. 156 Crore was sanctioned in 1996 - 97 for the construction of this railway line. However, on request of the then state government the project did not see the light of day. Today this project is estimated to cost around Rs. 245 Crore. Many more NEFR (North Eastern Frontier Railways) are in the pipeline.
Many other ministers spoke on the occasion. Finally when the Prime Minister came forward to speak he was greeted with loud clapping by the capacity crowd present. The Prime Minister stated that he had analysed thoroughly about the needs of the people and would take definitive steps to provide and fulfill the needs. He said that the first and foremost necessity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh was linking all of Arunachal by road, rail and air. The second important task was to provide the basic amenities to far flung places of Arunachal in the form of communication, electricity and drinking water. The third most important need is to provide quality education and better health facility to the people. And finally he stated the importance of development. The program at IG park concluded with a showcase of the rich tribal inheritance of the state in which a brief glimpse of many of the tribal dances were presented.
All in all, the Prime Minister’s visiting China and the subsequent visit to Arunachal Pradesh with the current package is more like an indication to the various anti-national parties that Arunachal Pradesh is very much a part of India and that India is not ready to part even an inch of the place from where sunlight first breaks the long darkness in the country.
