NAMPONG, Jan 21: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that border trade route with Myanmar will be developed to help boost the local economy and promote cultural exchanges between India and Myanmar.
Pema said this on Saturday while opening the 7th edition of the Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) here.
He informed that PM Narendra Modi is giving special attention to Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) districts and accordingly has directed the state government to make every effort in the development of these districts.
The chief minister said PPIF being the biggest tourism event in the entire eastern Arunachal would help promote the region in a big way, opening doors of opportunities.
He said the festival is being organized by the state’s tourism department to harness the tourism potential of the region by making it a calendar event with an allotment of Rs 1 crore for this year’s celebration.
Pema requested for a proposal for development of the festival ground and a permanent infrastructure, and gave assurance that the government would fund it. He said having a permanent infrastructure would cut the cost incurred in building huts and temporary structures in the festival ground.
He said that after the declaration of the Jairampur-Manmao-Nampong tourist circuit, which was declared following his pursuance with the MHA, the region has seen tremendous growth in tourism. He assured to open more tourist circuits for TCL districts.
The chief minister said that the state government has taken several steps to assure equal growth of its people, and for equal distribution of resources across the state. He said the bifurcation of the state into two administrative zones would help people in far corners of Arunachal have easy access to public services.
He also said the job recruitment system through the public service commission would help candidates from far-off tribes have a fair chance.
The chief minister released a PPIF calendar and two Tangsa music albums during the inaugural function. He also visited the exhibition stalls, traditional huts and ethnic cuisine stalls.
State BJP President Tapir Gao and Legal Metrology Parliamentary Secretary Laisam Simai also spoke.
Education Minister Honchun Ngandam, WRD Minister Kamlung Mossang, Art & Culture Minister Dr Mohesh Chai, Hydropower Parliamentary Secretary Phosum Khimhun, Food & Civil Supplies Parliamentary Secretary Tage Taki, Trade & Commerce Parliamentary Secretary Tesam Pongte, and Kanubari MLA Gabriel Wangsu were also present.
The chief minister later visited the Pangsau Pass border point – 11 km from Nampong town.
