Tuki insists on equitable growth, distribution of resources

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, January 29: Reiterating his government’s priority on health and education sectors, Chief Minister bam Tuki today informed that under ’Health for All’ project of the Centre, the state government has launched the ambitious Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance

Scheme (CMUHIS) to provide cashless treatment to the registered beneficiaries excluding the legislators in empanelled hospitals throughout the country.

Responding to the observations made by various members in the assembly during the discussion on motion of thanks to Governor’s address delivered in the house on Wednesday, Tuki while insisting on equitable distribution of resources and equitable growth, called upon the members to shoulder responsibility to make the scheme successful.

Disclosing that 71 per cent of household in the state have already been covered under the scheme, the chief minister while responding to objections raised by the opposition said there might be hitches in the scheme initially and this would be rectified.

To another objection regarding fund magement for the scheme, Tuki informed that the state government had hiked taxes on liquor and tobacco products to fund the scheme.

Referring to the web–based CM Global Education Scheme launched recently in the state with the help of Google, Tuki said the education scheme has been introduced with Google’s help to male learning easy through online.

He further disclosed that during his visit to Google headquarters on November last year he had requested the authority to rectify the wrong depiction of Aruchal in Google map, which was done accordingly.

Terming teacher absenteeism  as a ’cancerous disease’ in the state, the chief minister informed that the government was working out to streamline the education department and suggested that the transfer and posting should be implemented zone wise on merit basis.

On shortage of subject teachers in various schools, he disclosed that interview and aptitude tests have been conducted and soon teachers would be appointed on need–based criteria.

Pointing out that projects under the 3,300 crore Prime Minister’s economic package were being implemented in the state, he called for whole–hearted support from all the members saying that the entire members would be held responsible by the people if the projects were not implemented judiciously.

Referring to the 3,200 crore power reforms schemes sanctioned by the Centre, Tuki said that the schemes after implementation would provide a power highway in the state to make power available.

Participating in the discussion, Education Minister Tapang Taloh while highlighting the revolutiory steps taken to streamline the department said to provide quality education, support of all the stakeholders needed.

"There are shortfall of teachers but exercise is on to meet the deficit while, the defective education policy will be rectified by the cabinet," he added.

Home and Power Minister Tanga Byaling informed that though power worth 200–250 crore was being purchased every year by the state government but revenue generation was less than 100 crore. Referring to the opposition by various quarters on installation of pre–paid electric meters (PPEM) in the state Capital, Byaling lamented that various organizations launched agitation without clarifying the grounds for objection to the PPEM, which is a priority scheme to benefit all.

"The state requires 140 mw of power on daily basis out of which the capital alone consume 30 per cent. Once the PPEMs are installed the power requirement will come down to save Rs 40 crore annually," he said.

Opposition leader Tamiyo Taga participating in the discussion said that though the state government attached zero tolerance to education and health sectors, the scerio paints a gloomy picture. Senior BJP leader Japu Deru said that if the government was serious it should think in a realistic way by prioritizing the sectors on need–base criteria. Earlier, Nikh Kamin, who moved the motion said that the ambitious ’Vision Aruchal 2030’ conceptualized by Tuki, would change the socio–economic face of the state, while Gabrial D Wangsu, who seconded the motion, said that despite challenges, the state government was seriously trying to address the genuine concerns of the people.  Later the house unimously adopted the motion by voice votes before Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok adjourned the house for the day.