Arunachal: Sona Emphasizes Quality Education, Rural Connectivity, and Tourism Growth in Lohit

Our correspondent

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Education, RWD and Tourism minister P D Sona on Sunday emphasised the need to shift the focus from increasing pass percentages to improving the overall quality of education in schools.

Attending a review meeting at Tezu in Lohit district, centered on resolving critical issues in education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure, the minister suggested prioritising the construction of simple kitchen sheds under the PM Poshan scheme rather than elaborate structures to ensure efficient fund utilization.

Sona urged authorities to prioritise schools requiring urgent attention and recommended aligning proposals with the needs of local MLAs. He also advocated for the Chief Minister’s Rural Connectivity Scheme to be prioritised for key infrastructure projects that did not meet PMGSY criteria.

Another key recommendation was to repurpose closed schools as Anganwadi centers to help address infrastructure deficiencies.

The minister underscored the importance of tourism promotion, proposing the creation of a tourist arrivals database to enhance planning and monitoring of the sector. He also called for research into various government schemes and urged corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to focus on community welfare.

Addressing the meeting, local MLA Dr Mohesh Chai urged all officials to take the review process seriously for effective progress and implementation. He raised concerns about flooding in the district and stressed the urgent need for preventive solutions. Urban drainage issues were also discussed, with Dr. Chai advocating for a comprehensive master plan to address road-level drainage problems and ensure sustainable development.

Mentor secretary for the district, Sumedha Yadav, proposed the use of cooperative models to enhance the economic viability of various schemes. She recommended gathering feedback and wishlists from stakeholders, including local communities, to ensure better planning and execution of district projects.

Earlier, Lohit deputy commissioner Kesang Nguru Damo shared a positive update, announcing that officers would adopt schools as mentor officers to raise awareness and tackle educational challenges.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the education sector, with officials highlighting a shortage of 70–80 teachers across schools, hindering quality education delivery. Concerns were also raised over delayed hostel stipends for 2024–25, putting additional financial strain on students.

A major request was for 30 additional teachers to meet the growing demand for vocational education in IT and TT. Additionally, a proposal was made to shift stipend distribution from an annual to a quarterly basis to facilitate better financial planning for students.

In the agriculture sector, concerns were raised regarding the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), with officials pointing out a low number of beneficiaries (only 49) and inadequate funding. Calls were made for increased financial support to uplift local farmers.

Another pressing issue was the destruction of crops, such as rice, betel nut, rubber, and oil palm by wild elephants. Officials urged the immediate implementation of solar fencing to protect farmland.

Agriculture department representatives emphasised the need for enhanced research and development (R&D) to improve farming practices, while the district veterinary officer (DVO) highlighted ongoing challenges like banking delays and manpower shortages in scheme implementation.

Infrastructure challenges, particularly in rural areas, were a key focus. Officials flagged delays in the TR Camp road project and stressed the urgency of expediting construction. The digital divide was identified as a significant barrier, particularly for programs like the Poshan Tracker, which relies on accurate data collection to monitor health and nutrition.

Concerns were also raised about the low honorarium for Anganwadi workers. The Deputy Director of the WCD department recommended an increase in wages to support these essential community workers. Discussions covered a wide range of issues, from education and agriculture to infrastructure and tourism, with a strong emphasis on sustainable, community-driven development.

Key officials reiterated their commitment to efficient resource allocation, transparent project implementation, and ensuring the district’s growth aligns with local needs and priorities. The meeting’s outcomes will serve as a roadmap for the district’s development in the coming years. Later in the afternoon, Sona and the mentor secretary visited ongoing construction works of the tourist lodge and the engineering college in the district.

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