Translate Look East Policy into action: Mein

From our correspondent

Itagar, Dec 10: To reap its benefit, the Look East Policy should not just remain in paper but need to be translated into action, said Aruchal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein.

In his closing remarks of the two-day conclave on “Dream Change: Reshaping the development of Aruchal Pradesh” organized at the Aruchal Pradesh Legislative Assembly building here on Saturday, Mein said that this is not the end but a new beginning.

He said that the outcome and recommendations of the conclave would be of immense help to the government in formulating a pragmatic and people friendly policies to be incorporated in the upcoming budget.

Stating that the development and research should go hand in hand, he laid stress on engaging the young scientists in research of the State’s bio-diversity so that the GI registration can be done for the rich bio-resources of the State.

Pointing out that the Geological Survey of India has made survey of only ten per cent of the State, Mein called for making complete survey of the entire State to unearth the mining and mineral resources.

 With a view to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Aruchal in the form of documentation, he said that an MoU with the foreign scholars by the Research Department would be signed for research on research and documentation in Indigenous Healing System of Aruchal Tribes. It will remain as an asset for the government, he added.

Mein expressed happiness that the State’s wine policy introduced by him, during 2014-15, has filly borne fruits as state wine in the form of “raa Aba” is being produced today. He lauded Tage Rita, the founder of the first organic kiwi wine of the country and said “She is as an inspiration for all of Aruchal.”

The deputy chief minister said that Aruchal Pradesh is passing through a phase of silent revolution through agriculture and horticulture. “On realizing the huge scope of these sectors for attaining sustaible development, the State government is according top priority to these sectors,” he added. On the supply of low quality planting material, he said: The government has earmarked fund for development of quality planting material the last budget.

He said that the government is also working to replace an alterte crop for poppy cultivation as per the soil health and suitability and to take up terrace cultivation in food grain deficit districts for which fund has already been kept in the last budget.

He called upon the work executing agencies to use best road building technologies to arrest landslides in order to curtail the recurring expenditure on road maintence.

          Chief Secretary Satya Gopal said that the two-day discourse is a new beginning for formulating a better development agenda for the State, wherein  the ‘Team Aruchal’ led by chief minister Pema Khandu would recommend and implement the policy decisions in five thematic sectors that are the core challenges of the State.

Stating that the conclave is an effort to bring transformation in policy making, the Chief Secretary opined that every policy decision should have brain-storming discussions at every level for effective implementation.