Centre sanctions special package to tackle insurgency: Rajth

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Feb 20: To tackle the insurgency problem in three eastern districts of Aruchal Pradesh, the Centre has sanctioned a special package for strengthening the security apparatus, Union Minister Rajth Singh informed here on Monday.

“The special package for Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts will also incorporate creation of new posts, purchasing of vehicles and equipments for police,” the union Home Minister said while gracing the 31st Statehood Day celebration at Indira Gandhi Park here.

Expressing concern over non-construction of over 20 police stations in these districts, Singh appealed the state government to expedite the process of construction and assured to sanction necessary fund from his ministry at the earliest. He also asked the government to submit monthly progress report on the project.

To a proposal submitted by the state for establishment of an ITBP battalion in Itagar, the home minister disclosed that he had already asked his ministry’s officials to immediately examine the proposal and do the needful accordingly.

He said, the state government had submitted proposals for strengthening the security system in the state which is under active consideration of his ministry.

Singh also assured to sanction a Forensic Science Laboratory in the state along with necessary equipments.

“We will do whatever possible in the interest of the state for development. There is no dearth of fund. But I cautioned that every penny from the Centre should be judiciously utilised to maintain transparency so that nobody could point finger,” he said.

“Developmental fund should be utilised with utmost honesty as the Centre has been sanctioning honestly for the state’s development. I appealed the government functiories to work with the spirit of Team Aruchal to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Pema Khandu who is embarking on a focussed approach for development of the state,” he added.

Referring to the hydro power potential of the state, Singh said that a robust connectivity infrastructure was a must to tap the hydro power potential which could be a money spinner for the state.

Singh said, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway Nitin Gadkari had already announced that a project worth of 50,000 crore for roads and bridges for Aruchal would be sanctioned within the next two years.

“Four state roads have already been announced as tiol Highways. I appealed the state government to send early proposals free from all incumbencies including land allocation for early sanction of the projects,” he said.

He further assured that foundation stone for railway line to Pasighat in East Siang district would be laid soon and disclosed that the union railway ministry had already announced for survey of rail line survey from Bame-Ruksin-Tezu-Parashuram Kund via Rupai and Marupang to Tawang, works on which would commence soon.

To boost telecom and IT connectivity in the state, works of band line on 5035 kilometres area was going on out of which in an area of 2300 km, ducting have been completed while in 1300 kilometres, cable have also been laid, he disclosed.

“In the first phase out of 1023 gram panchayats, in 863 gram panchayats, 2600 km long optical fibres cables need to be laid. Out of this 1500 km duct and 1050 km cables were laid,” he added.

In the aviation sector, the union minister informed that the Centre had already 75 per cent subsidy for two MI-75 choppers in operation in the state while subsidiary for another small chopper would be approved soon.

“Commercial flights will be made operatiol from Pasighat Advance Landing Ground (ALG) soon,” he added.

Referring to the decision of Khandu to make official works paperless, he termed it as a historic step saying that it would bring efficiency, transparency and accountability in the system.

Stating that in the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat Summit, many investors have evinced keen interest to invest in Aruchal, the union minister asked the state government to expedite the process at the earliest and to create an investor-friendly atmosphere in the state.