Prioritize border areas development to halt exodus: Rajkhowa

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Jun 25: Governor J P Rajkhowa on Friday said that the state government as well as the Centre needs to give priority to border areas development in the state.

“Some positive acts have to be initiated to instill a sense of security and negate the feeling of isolation amongst the people living in border areas,” the governor said during a meeting with a delegation of panchayat leaders from Monigong-Pidi Anchal Samity in West Siang district who, called on him at Raj Bhawan here, an official report informed here today.

“Road communication, education, healthcare and water supply must be focused as priority areas of the governments,” he said.

Emphasizing on better roads, Rajkhowa suggested that feeder roads must be developed while, the foot tracks must be developed into single lane roads and one-lane roads to two-lane.

He said, the Border Road Organization should expedite their projects in remote areas and such proactive roles of state machineries would halt exodus of people from border areas.

The panchayat members along with gaon burha Tajen Pujen apprised the governor the problems and challenges of the people living in the intertiol border blocks of Monigong and Pidi circles.

Giving a patient hearing, the governor was saddened to learn that the border areas of Pidi and Monigong are without power supply and the people, officials and school children are suffering in want of light for daily chores and studies.

He announced to provide five hundred solar lamps to the households of the area from his discretiory grant. At the same time, he suggested for solar and wind powered projects for the far-flung villages. The governor expressed surprised that the people of the area are not issued with BPL cards depriving them of the special provisions provided to poorer section of the society. He advised that the NGOs of the area must come out and work for the community, create awareness and at the same time check fraudulent practices.

He emphasized that the officials posted in the border blocks and administrative centers should be in their place of postings for sound administration and smooth functioning in promptly addressing the problems of the people.

“Discipliry action must be taken to those not in their place of posting,” he emphatically said and advised the Principal Secretary (Personnel) to issue circular regarding this.

Earlier, through a memorandum, the Panchayat representatives informed that in spite of huge horticultural produce such as apples, kiwis, strawberry and green vegetables in the area, due to road communication bottleneck, horticultural products cannot be harness on commercial scale. They also informed that there was no healthcare facility, communication network, PDS items and security infrastructure in the area.