Government attaches priority on border security: Pul
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
Itagar, May 20: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on Thursday stressed on the need to create relations between the Army and the state government. During a meeting with General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command Lieutent General, Praveen Bakshi, when the later called on him in his office, Pul said that border security has been accorded top priority by the state government who is also concern on the welfare of defence personnel as they often serve in hardship areas in hilly and difficult terrains, an official report said here today.
The chief minister while insisting that border areas need to be connected with all weather roads emphasised on quality maintence of these roads. He specifically mentioned that construction work of Tawang Road need to be expedited the progress of work of which was very slow, the chief minister said that the road is strategically important in term of defence and tourism point of view. He asked them to further strengthen their base at eastern part of the state too and requested them to inform him in case of hurdles in getting land requirement from the government.
To expedite the process of land acquisition especially to facilitate the defence forces and Border Road Organizations, a single window system has been initiated by the state government with chief secretary as the chairman of the committee with respective DCs, PCCF Environment and Forest as the members.
He, however, asked them to maintain a uniform rate all over the state while giving land compensation and requested them not to deviate from the rates fixed by the government.
Pul further asked them to adequately compensate the family and next of kin of those who lost their lives while accompanying the forces as porter or local guide during patrolling in the border areas.
He reiterated that Advanced Landing Grounds should be allowed for concurrent use both by the defence forces and state government helicopter in peace time. He urged them to convey the message to the Air Force base at Shillong.
The chief minister for cooperation and to provide cent per cent administrative and local support to the Army. However, he requested them to develop cordial and friendly relations with the civilians and to win the hearts of the local people by taking up welfare activities in the border areas.
Earlier, Lieutent General Bakshi while citing land as the biggest issue apprised the difficulties in getting land acquisition for the establishment of their bases in the state and sought the intervention of the chief minister at appropriate level. He also apprised the chief minister that infrastructure development in the state is their highest priority and informed that the process to strengthen the BRO with sufficient machineries is on fast. Bakshi also requested Pul to exempt entry tax for the goods of the defence personnel as the same is exempted all over India and no separate fund is provided by the Ministry to pay for the entry tax to the state govt. He said that it causes unnecessary delays in movement and transportation of their ration items, the report added.
