Tuki advocates for Regiol Council of NE

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, February 9: Taking part in the first ever Niti Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister rendra Modi at New Delhi on Sunday, Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister bam Tuki has advocated for a Regiol Council for North Eastern Region Chaired by the Prime Minister with Co-Chair on annual rotation basis amongst the eight North Eastern states.

He reasoned that the northeastern states have low resource base, low population and had been a late starter in the journey of development. Tuki further gave an altertive suggestion for Hill States Council (HSC) or a Himalayan States Council (HSC) owing to similar strengths and challenges of these small states, an official report said here today.

Completely agreeing with the idea of a Mid-Term assessment of targets and achievements of the 12th Five Year Plan, Tuki suggested for rigorous joint review exercise with an aim to remove bottlenecks impeding the achievements of targets.

"NITI Aayog must continue to play the role of fund allocation to the States, especially to the special category states" CM said and further opined that the funds allocated to the States must be untied (in the specifics- micro details) but tied to the broad sectors as per local requirements within the sectors.

The chief minister reiterated for exempting the mandatory 10 per cent state share for special category states like Aruchal Pradesh which is fully dependent on central funds while, suggesting for minimizing the number of CSS to broad sectoral priorities with fund transfers in untied form.

Tuki requested the Niti Aayog to consider the recommendations of B K Chaturvedi headed Committee that had undertook a study relating to the development disability of the special category states and recommended removing bottlenecks on the process issues of the region and also provide fiscal compensation of 2 per cent of the GBS for the remaining years of the 12th Five Year Plan to these states.

"One specific issue only pertaining to my state is the continued objection of Chi and depriving my state access to development funds- from ADB, World Bank and now JICA. I urge that the patriotic people of Aruchal Pradesh are not deprived of the much needed development on this ground and a suitable window of funding be made available for taking developmental projects in the State" he emphatically said.

He further urged for holistic view of fund allocation to the state of Aruchal Pradesh and also pleaded for separate budgetary provision for maintence of already constructed projects.

"Cooperative Federalism must be imbibed by all of us in achieving the larger goal of a strong and vibrant India. This can be achieved when the Union Government appreciates the strong points of each state- both tangible and intangible and acknowledges the challenges and facilitates a congenial environment in overcoming these challenges to harness its strengths" Tuki said.

He requested the NITI Aayog to consider Aruchal Pradesh on grounds of border magement by developing border areas to stop depopulation of border areas, to harness the Hydro Power and Mineral potential of the state, which can contribute to the tiol Growth and provide a special package for the vast forest cover, which is providing huge ecological services to the Country and the world.

The chief minister gave a brief highlight on the activities undertaken by the state government with special mention to preparation of Vision 2030, the report added.

Meanwhile, elated by the news of Aruchal Archery Team winning Gold in the 35th tiol Games being held in Thiruvanthapuram, Tuki has congratulated the team for the rare feat achieved.

Budding archers Sorang Yumi, Genung Tekseng, Maselo Mehu, Netan Drema Khrimey led by their coach Kh Elashini Devi have proved their mettle in the tiol Games which has eventually raised high hopes of them getting qualified for the next Olympics.

"It is really a rare feat achieved by our young sportspersons from our state and I know it is just a beginning," a confident and visibly happy Tuki said. "I on behalf of the Government and the people of the state congratulate our sportspersons who have proved beyond doubt that youths from the state have everything in them to compete at the highest level and win medals. We Aruchalees are no less than anybody!" he further added.

He hoped that the youths would put best foot forward to bring more laurels for the state and the country in the days to come.

The chief minister also conveyed his gratitude and appreciation to the Team Magers, Coaches and Officials of the team.