Tuki bats for comprehensive youth dev policy

Our Correspondent

Itagar, January 3: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister bam Tuki emphasized that the essence of Regiol Planning would be justified only when the North Eastern Council (NEC) reinvents itself and amplifies its role to address the concerns of the North Eastern Region in a more holistic manner.

While attending the 63rd Plery Session of the North Eastern Council at Shillong on Friday, Tuki mentioned that the NEC should devise a road map for sustaible development of all the North Eastern States keeping in view the common concerns regarding critical areas like Communications & Connectivity, Resources Magement, Employment Generation, Interl Security among others, an official communiqué said here today.

He appealed that a proactive role should be played by the NEC by being sensitive to the collective aspirations of the youth of the Region.

While mentioning that much that mainstreaming the youth of the Region would result in an environment conducive to the long term growth and peace in the Region. He called for a comprehensive framework for Youth Development including creating avenues for Employment and Capacity Building.

While conveying his optimism on the NEC increasing its effectiveness in the future, he appealed for the enhancement of the Annual Budget for the NEC in the coming fincial year 2014–15.

Tuki highlighted several issues related to the State including the status of the Inter State Roads that Aruchal Pradesh shares primarily with Assam and to a small extent with galand.

He appealed for funds from both NEC and Ministry of DoNER for the maintence and upgradation of Inter State Roads many of which are in deplorable conditions due to non–maintence. He emphasized that one of the primary objective of NEC is to improve Inter State communications and it is in this context that the new provisions for the upkeep of the roads should be introduced especially to cater to link major habitations in the foothill areas.

He said that this would increase the scope of economic activity at a time when the State Government is considering developing an Industrial Corridor to boost industrial growth in the State.

He also sought a proper plan and allocation from the NEC for improving the Telecommunications Network in the State, especially in the border areas.

He mentioned the problems being faced by the various Border Guarding Forces and District Administration in these areas due to the poor state of telecommunications.

“The very critical mandate of security and ‘law and order’ related issues which we have gradually allowed to be weaned away from the council needs to be restored. We can start with inter–State boundary problems amongst member States and gradually expand the ambit. Security related issues should also be raised during the plery meetings and issues common to the entire region should be highlighted at the tiol level through the NEC Secretariat” the CM further added. The Chief Minister highlighted several other issues like the Look East Policy, Compensation through domestic funding for foregoing ADB/World Bank funds, among a host of others. The NEC Plery meeting was chaired by Union Minister of DoNER and Chairman NEC, Dr Jitender Singh and a galaxy of leaders including Governors and Chief Ministers of six North Eastern States, the communiqué added.