Governor urges people to contribute to state’s growth
ITANAGAR, Jan 26: Governor Dr BD Mishra has exhorted the people of the state to contribute to the “remarkable growth plan” being carried out by the state government to put the landlocked state in the highest growth trajectory.
Unfurling the tri-colour at Indira Gandhi Park here on the occasion of Republic Day on Friday, the governor urged the people to take a collective pledge to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution while preserving the proud tribal culture and heritage, and to contribute for a progressive state.
“Our government has made determined and sustained efforts in bringing comprehensive reforms in the social sector, administration, economic management, and urban and rural development, apart from investments in infrastructure,” Dr Mishra said.
He said that, despite all the concerted efforts, there are areas which need to be addressed.
“The key performance indicators in the education and health sectors need improvement; connectivity to the remote locations within the state needs to be hastened. Half of our habitations need surface connectivity, our villages need electrification, and children need good education,” he said.
“Our government is totally committed to overcome all the challenges, and has resolved to ensure all-round development of the state in a speedy manner with honesty and accountability,” the governor said.
Terming connectivity the biggest bottleneck in the development of the state, Dr Mishra said that robust connectivity is an inescapable need for the people of the state to have the opportunity to reach out to national and international markets.
“The government is determined to ensure early commissioning of the civilian airport at Hollongi. Moreover, the development of the Tezu airport is complete in all respects and soon it will become functional for commercial flights,” he said.
The governor informed that the Centre has already assured the state a Rs 50,000-crore package for improving road connectivity, to be completed over a period of three years.
“Rural road connectivity has received a significant push under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. 772 roads spanning over 5,990 kilometre length have been completed, connecting 841 rural habitations,” Dr Mishra said.
He said the state government is also undertaking survey and investigation of Frontier Highway and building an East-West industrial corridor along the foothill areas of the state.
In the power sector, Mishra said, the 600 mw Kameng hydro project and the 110 mw Pare hydro project would get commissioned over the next couple of months, which would be a big boost to realizing the hydropower dream in the state.
“The Centre has committed to establish an army cantonment in the capital region, which will not only instill a greater sense of security but will also generate fresh economic activities, access to quality education and health care facilities, which is a collateral amenity to the civil population in any cantonment area,” he informed.
Three sainik schools would also be established in the state – one each in the central, eastern and western parts of the state, he added.
The state has for the first time taken a bold and progressive step towards improvement of quality of education by launching the smart classroom programme in more than 700 schools of the state.
“To address the medical needs of our people, the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Naharlagun, is expected to start this very year. We have also made available the high cost treatment facilities like free chemotherapy,” the governor said.
The government is also committed to early start of the revamped Health Insurance Scheme, which will now provide an effective and affordable health care alternative to the poor in the state, he added.
Meanwhile, the State awards to be given away during Statehood Day celebration have been declared on the occasion.
The Gold medal awardees are PHED & WSD Commissioner Hage Khoda Shalla, PHED Chief Engineer Tomo Basar, WRD Chief Engineer Likar Angu, Yomcha ADC Rujum Rakshap, Capital Complex EAC Liken Koyu, Longding Circle Officer NL Naam, Papum Pare SP Tumme Omo, Jr Specialist (Radiation Oncology) Sam Tsering, ASI Ajay Kr Jha, karate coach P Nobin Jomoh, badminton coach Dilip Gurung, filmmaker Dorjee Khandu Thungon, education entrepreneur Dr Manaya Mena, social worker Miali Sidisow, folk singer Bamang Loram, artist Delong Padung, PA (CS cell, AP civil secretariat) Minki Doji, Student of New Galaxy Academy, Nirjuli Anong Tadar, Progressive Farmer Todol Pertin from Dambuk, Lower Dibang Valley and Gardener of Raj Bhawan Tarani Barman.
Tawang has been awarded gold medal for being the first district to achieve the open defecation free status.
Twenty-three government officers/officials, the chairman of Bio-Diversity Management Committee, Ziro, and an artist from Hayuliang, Anjaw will receive Silver medals.
West Siang was awarded silver medal for being the second district to achieve the open defecation free status.
Commendation certificates were awarded to 21, including an NGO.
Republic Day was also celebrated in all the district headquarters and various other administrative outposts with great enthusiasm.
The tri-colour was unfurled in Aalo (West Siang) by Deputy Commissioner Swetika Sachan, in Bomdila (West Kameng) by Deputy Commissioner Dr Sonal Swaroop, in Changlang (Changlang) by Hydropower Parliamentary Secretary Phosum Khimhun, in Daporijo (Upper Subansiri) by Deputy Commissioner Danish Ashraf, in Hawai (Anjaw) by MLA Dasanglu Pul, in Khonsa (Tirap) by Deputy Commissioner PN Thungon, in Longding (Longding) by Deputy Commissioner VS Mallik, in Namsai (Namsai) by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, in Pasighat (East Siang) by Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak, in Roing (Lower Dibang Valley) by Deputy Commissioner Mitali Namchoom, in Seppa (East Kameng) by Deputy Commissioner Gaurav Singh Rajawat, in Tawang (Tawang) by Deputy Commissioner Sang Phuntsok, in Tezu (Lohit) by Deputy Commissioner Karma Leki, in Yupia (Papum Pare) by Deputy Commissioner Tai Kaye, in Yingkiong (Upper Siang) by Deputy Commissioner Duly Kamduk, and in Ziro (Lower Subansiri) by Additional Deputy Commissioner Nending Chatung.
Apart from paying floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, they recalled the freedom fighters and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while defending the nation.
Various achievements of the districts and the state were also highlighted on the occasion by dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering in Namsai, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein highlighted the initiatives and achievement of the state government in sectors like literacy, connectivity, sports, human resource development, etc.
Stating that all-round development of the state is the mantra of the government, Mein said: “Our government is committed to ensure good governance at all levels.”
Namsai MLA Chow Zingnu Namchoom also attended the celebration.
Member of Parliament Ninong Ering and MLA Kaling Moyong attended the celebration in Pasighat, while Rajya Sabha MP Mukut Mithi and MLA Mutchu Mithi attended the R-Day celebration in Roing. Art & Culture Minister Dr Mohesh Chai attended the celebration in Tezu.
Reports of R-Day celebration also poured in from the nook and corner of the state, such as Ruksin, Namsing and Mebo in East Siang; Bordumsa and Jairampur in Changlang; Hayuliang, Kibithoo, Walong, Chaglagam, Goiliang, Manchal and Meteliang in Anjaw; Wakro and Sunpura in Lohit; Deomali, Kothin, Dadam, Lazu and Soha in Tirap; Tuting, Mariyang, Geku, Gelling, Singa, Migging, Palling, Jengging, Katan and Mopom circles in Upper Siang; Parbuk in Lower Dibang Valley; Manmao and Namphai-I in Changlang; and Rumgong in Siang district.
The national flag was hoisted in Mebo by MLA Lombo Tayeng, while it was unfurled in Manmao by Parliamentary Secretary Laisam Simai. WRD Minister Kamlung Mossang unfurled the flag in Namphai-I, and MLA Tirong Aboh unfurled the tri-colour in Kothin.
The All Arunachal Pradesh Workers’ Union, New Life Bible College in Dobam, Papum Pare, the National Institute of Technology, and the Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic in Itanagar also celebrated R-Day in a befitting manner.