CM vows to improve living standard in border areas

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, March 2: Calling the border inhabitants as vanguards in securing the intertiol borders along the Mc Mahon line, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul informed that series of measures will be taken to improve the standard of life in the border areas.

“Border people have the knowledge of local terrains and their knowledge base serves as an important information source for the army to secure the border,” Pul while addressing a group of delegates from Mechuka constituency recently in his office here, an official release informed here today.

“Border areas of Aruchal have always remained neglected. Aruchal comes in the tiol headlines only during floods and when Chinese troops make incursions in the border,” the chief minister said.

“Mere rhetoric of Aruchal as an integral part of India is not enough. The words have to match our actions on the ground. We have to reassure the border people of our commitment towards their development to make the border area habitable,” Pul added.  Speaking on the priorities for border people, the chief minister said the State government is committed to provide all basic public services such as quality drinking water, quality health services, good road networks and proper education services.

To make the point that he was not merely air talking, Pul took the example of Hawai, headquarters of Anjaw district, where he claimed to have turned his vision into reality.

“Hawai is today a well-planned town with 24 hours uninterrupted water and power supply. It has well laid out shopping complex, good quality infrastructures such as government offices and government quarters, and has well connected 2-lane roads within the township,” he claimed.

The chief minister said measures will also be taken to improve the economy of the border areas.

“We have rich tural resources – hydropower, mines and minerals. These sectors will be given top priority to revive the economy of the State,” he said.

Besides tapping the tural resources, Pul said the government would also boost horticulture and agriculture development in border areas.

“We will provide all necessary fincial and technical support to the farmers. Special measures will be taken to make the local economy self-sustaible,” he added while assuring that people would not be disappointed by his government.

The chief minister also emphasized on developing tourism in the border areas. For development of tourism sector, he hinted on developing four potential tourism sites in Aruchal – Mechuka, Anini, Hawai and Vijaygar.

“These four tourism sites have their own unique tural beauty, which is distinct from each other,” he said.

He, however, said for development, people have to make compromises.

“People should be ready to part with their land, forests and mountains. Government cannot force development on people, but can only be achieved if they are volunteering for it,” Pul added.

The delegates were accompanied by Mechuka MLA Pasang Dorjee So, who had called on the Chief Minister to congratulate him on being elected for the post, the release added.