Arunachal Pradesh government decides to resume tourism activities very soon

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to resume tourism activities in the state by lifting the suspension on tourist Inner Line Permit (ILP) and Protected Area Permit (PAP), keeping in view the decreasing number of Covid-19 cases.

Under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873, outsiders are restricted to visit Arunachal Pradesh and stay without possessing ILPs.

The state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in its sitting on Thursday, decided to lift the suspension of ILP and PAP, Home Minister Bamang Felix told reporters here on Friday.

The ILP and PAP were suspended by the state government for control and management of Covid-19 spread.

"Since the Covid-19 situation is currently under control in the country and the state, the cabinet decided to lift the suspension and allow all tourism activities in the state with advisory to follow Covid appropirate behaviour," Felix, also the state government spokesman, said..

The cabinet, however, decided to allowed only fully vaccinated tourists who have taken both the doses of vaccine, at this point of time, he said.

"The decision of the cabinet will benefit the tour operators, hoteliers, cab operators, home stays and all tourism related stakeholders as they have been facing enormous economic hardship due to the suspension," the Home Minister said.

In another important decision, the state cabinet has agreed for 'genuine' devolution of powers (3F – Functions, Fund and Functionaries) to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as per the 73rd Constitutional amendment and 11th Schedule of Constitution in 29 subjects, the spokesman disclosed.

"Under the devolution of powers to PRIs, sustainable participative, inclusive, comprehensive and empowerment (SPICE) model to be adopted in the state. This is first of its kind in the state and the country. We will see that this model is widely accepted and emulated by other states in future," Felix said.

The spokesman added that a dedicated separate Zilla Parishad fund under Section 99 (1) of the Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Acts and Rules) 2018 would be created.

The cabinet also discussed in details the formula of devolution of power to PRIs and accordingly accepted.

As per the formula, Felix said, ten per cent of state own revenues (SoR) would be devolved to the PRIs which would come into effect from next financial year and would be in addition to the Fourteen Finance Commission (FFC) grants.

"This will be in the criteria of population and area based in the ratio of 50:50. While 70 per cent will be the basic grants distribution, 30 per cent will be performance grants based on performance," the spokesman added.

Felix said that the PRIs need to improve their own capacity to avail funds on "performance-based approach".

"It will focus on "Gram Swaraj to Green Swaraj" wherein PRI will be mandated to perform on conservation and enhance "Green Growth Product" since, Arunachal Pradesh is the most biodiverse state with abundant natural assets including forests and ecosystems," Felix said.

"They (PRIs) need to perform on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will be ensured by inclusion of two budgets within Zilla Parishad Fund - "Green budget" and "Gender budget" to be included into Zilla Parishad's own budget to avail grants from the government," he pointed out.

The spokesman added that detailed formula for devolution of powers and functions across the state for ZPC and GPC segments, would be unveiled on October 8 next by the chief minister here in presence of all the ZPCs.

"Plan formulation and implementation by constituting sectoral working committees at zila parishad and gram panchayat level through Zilla Parishad Development Plan (ZPDP) and Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) will be worked out," Felix disclosed.

He added that capacity building, support of technical and human resources would be done by Panchayati Raj department. "Extensive sensitisation, capacity building and training of panchayat leaders will be done in the next six months by the department," the spokesman informed adding, vigilance and monitoring committee at district and state Level would also be constituted.

In another important decision, the cabinet approved the recruitment rules for sub-inspector of motor transport posts in the state police.

"Assistant sub inspector (ASI) motor transport in state police had no career progression before this decision. The state government had created 24 posts of SI in the year 2019 along with other posts. Out of 24 posts, 10 posts have been re-designated as Sub-Inspector Motor Transport. These 10 posts shall be filled up from the existing senior most Assistant Sub Inspector drivers giving succour to many police drivers," Felix said.

The cabinet also approved ammendment of the Arunachal Pradesh Excise Rules, 1994 introducing online prepaid and upfront levy of excise duty on alcoholic beverages for bonded warehouses.

The prepaid levy would ensure realisation of excise duty at the point of entry instead of exit of alcoholic beverages which would prevent potential chance of revenue pilferages, the spokesman said.

The cabinet further approved for enhancement of penalties of Amendment of Motor Vehicle Act 2019 in the state in order to lessen the violation of traffic rules and motor vehicle Act.

According to the 'New Education Policy-2020', local language and dialects need to be encouraged for which the cabinet directed the department of education to assess the need of 3rd language and dialect of tribes and the requirement of manpower and bring to the government for decision, the spokesman added.

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