PPWF to boost Centre’s Act East Policy: Mein

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, Jan 22: mpong, the tiny town in Changlang district, reverberated with the sound of Gongs and the fireworks on Saturday as thousands of people with colorful traditiol attires thronged the festival ground to be a part of the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival (PPWF). Attending the second day of the festival, Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein said that the festival would encourage intertiol trade with neighbouring countries especially, Myanmar as the NDA government at the Centre is serious and committed to implement the ‘Act East Policy’ in practical, an official report informed here today.

Mein expressed optimistic that with the taking over of a democratic government in Myanmar, things would improve between the country and India. He further expressed optimism that the Pangsau Pass would be reopened soon which would greatly improve the trade relation between India and Myanmar and would also benefit the local population.

“The Centre is focusing on development of Aruchal now which we can witness from the regular visits of the Union ministers over the last few days and announcing developmental projects since the formation of BJP government in the state,” the deputy chief minister said. He further said that the state government has been preparing a fair budget for the coming fincial year for a change for betterment and added that the state is changing with the adoption of innovative ideas and new technologies. While urging the youths to abstain from drug addiction and to actively involve them in constructive activities, Mein said the state government was concerned about the drug mece and accordingly released fund to all districts recently to make all drug de-addiction centres functiol. However, he called upon the people for consolidated approach to erase and protect the coming generations from drug mece.

The deputy chief minister also announced two crore for construction of a festival hall and the boundary wall of the festival ground for the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival which would be incorporate in the next budget. State BJP president Tapir Gao said that Pangsau Pass Festival symbolizes agriculture & horticulture richness and also symbolizes a drug free & peaceful society. “mpong is going to be the hub of intertiol trade with the declaration of tiol highway up to Pangsau Pass and with the railway connectivity on anvil,” he disclosed. Gao further said that BJP government at the centre was very keen on strengthening the Act East Policy to improve trades with the South East Asian countries which would greatly benefit the people of North East India.  He also expressed hope for early re-opening of Pangsau Pass as democratically elected government has been formed in Myanmar too, the report added.