ITANAGAR, Mar 13: The Arunachal Pradesh government gave priority to connectivity, and several schemes on it have already been implemented in the state and work on many more are on, said Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the Assembly, Pema said “As many as 1900 mobile towers will be erected in the state by December end this year under the Digital India initiative to boost mobile connectivity, while the East-West Industrial Corridor will be a reality soon.”
Stating that the governor’s address to the house on 9 March was a reflection of the works being executed by the state government in accordance to the 2017-18 budget, Pema further said that many schemes of the previous governments in the state are being completed by the present dispensation and works on many more were underway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a clear vision for the development of the North East, particularly Arunachal Pradesh and had committed total support to the region and the state during his recent visit to Itanagar, he said.
The chief minister also called upon the lawmakers of the state to join hands for mobilising its resources to end dependence on central funds.
“We need to go for resource mobilisation to end dependence on central funds,” the chief minister added.
Participating in the discussion, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that the Trans-Arunachal Highway had brought in revolutionary development by reducing travel time in the state.
“Connectivity is the hallmark of development and the state has witnessed a revolution of development after NDA came to power at the Centre,” Mein said.
Mein, who also holds the Finance portfolio, assured funds for maintenance of roads and added that a budgetary provision of Rs 631 crore had been kept in this year’s budget for rural economic reforms.
Leader of Opposition, Takam Pario alleged that the state government was not inviting and involving the opposition members in pre-budget discussions.
He called upon the state government to give priority on need-based schemes for all round development of the state.
Former chief minister Nabam Tuki urged the state government to improve power transmission system in the state. He also asked the government to take clear cut steps for early implementation of the Greenfield airport project at Hollongi.
Participating in the discussion, MLA Lombo Tayeng suggested the state government take initiative for action against any person (including elected representatives) found with possession of assets which are disproportionate to their known sources of income as an initiative towards zero tolerance against corruption.
Legislatures Tirong Aboh, Nikh Kamin, Tesam Pongte, Posum Khimhun, Tanga Byaling, Wanglin Lowangdong, Tamiyo Taga and Bamang Felix also participated in the motion of thanks which was moved by MLA Laisam Simai.
Later, the members adopted the motion by voice vote.
Tawang firing case still under investigation: Responding to a question on status of the Tawang police firing incident, which claimed two lives in May 2016, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Kumar Waii said that case is still under investigation.
Waii informed that the case was transferred to the special investigating team (SIT) of the crime branch of the state while responding to a question by BJP MLA Pani Taram.
He further said that state government has paid compensation to the people killed and injured in the police firing.
The minister further said that seven police personnel were put under suspension and departmental inquiry has been initiated against them.
Exploration of mineral resources: Responding to a question of Wanglin Lowangdong during question hour, Mines Minister Kamlung Mossang informed the house that initiatives have been taken for exploration of mineral resources of the state.
Informing that fund also have been allocated for accelerated mining activities this year, Mossang said steps have been taken for proper survey of some districts of the state, particularly for exploration of coal and oil. The state government allocated Rs 40 lakh under SADA for detail exploration of Kalaktang Quartzite and Rupa Dolomite block as per the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) during the period 2017-18.
Priority to Tourism sector: Responding to another question of Lowangdong, Tourism Minister Jarkar Gamlin said that the state government has accorded priority to the Tourism sector. He informed that the Tourism department has already sent proposal to the state Home department for inclusion of Tinsukia-Khonsa-Longding-Lazu-Pongchou-Kanubari tourist circuit.
However, he said, the Home department did not include the proposed tourist circuit to the proposal placed to the Union Home Ministry.
CMUHIS defaults: Responding to the question of Pani Taram, Chief Minister Pema Khandu informed the house that the Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme has many defaults and it was discontinued due to non-performance by the Insurance Company.
The CM further said that the scheme has been re-casted into an assurance model from an insurance model and to be implemented through the management support provider (MSP). E-tendering for appointment of MSP was also completed and an agreement was signed on 15 November, 2017 in this regard.
Electrification of villages on in state: Taga
Arunachal Pradesh Power Minister Tamiyo Taga said villages in interior areas are being brought under solar energy supply and cent per cent electrification of all villages in the state was on to meet the April-end target of this year.
“We have classified all the un-electrified villages in the state in two categories off grid and on grid keeping in view their geographical locations,” the minister told the Assembly.
He said 903 villages located at interior areas in the state have been classified as off grid villages and would be electrified by solar energy.
“The Solar Energy Corporation of India has taken up the project,” he said adding that electrification of 301 grid villages was going on in the fast track and would be completed by April this year.
Responding to the charges of the opposition members, the minister said that the previous government had wrongly entered many un-electrified villages in the state as electrified villages under the Rajiv Gandhi Gram Jyoti Yojana (RGGJY) which had led to the delay in electrification.
“We have overcome the issue and efforts to electrify these villages are going on smoothly,” he said adding that with Arunachal being a calamity-prone state, power supply in it was disrupted frequently due to landslide and flood.
Arunachal Pradesh Land Settlement and Records Amendment Bill, 2018: The state Legislative Assembly passed the Arunachal Pradesh Land Settlement and Records Amendment Bill, 2018, thereby, conferring ownership rights to the indigenous tribal people, including communities and clans possessing Land Possession Certificates (LPCs) in the state.
The Bill was introduced by Land Management Minister Nabam Rebia on the first day of the ongoing Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly. It was subsequently considered and passed by the House through voice vote on Monday.
In absence of ownership document the land could not be mortgaged for loans by banks and other financial institutions, said an official statement.
Sensing the issue, the state government under Chief Minister Pema Khandu, in interest of the indigenous people, constituted a high level committee consisting four Cabinet Ministers and other senior officers of the government under the chairmanship of the Minister Land Management to study and submit its recommendations, it said.
A state level conclave was also held in Itanagar where experts on land and land laws from within and outside the state were invited and discussions were held with various stake holders. After getting inputs from all concerned the present Amendment Bill was prepared and introduced in the Legislative Assembly and was subsequently passed.
The amendment bill recognizes ownership right of the citizens, particularly indigenous people of the state which provides the right to give their land on long term lease up to 33 years, which is extendable to another 33 years making it to 66 years in total for big and small ventures.
Several issues where raised by members of the House on the Amendment Bill, which were clarified by the Minister of Land Management. Rebia also assured that genuine concerns of the members will be taken care of at the time of framing the Rules/guidelines in this regard. (PTI/Source)
Quotes of the Day
# “Tourism is promoted in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir, why these two districts (Tirap and Longding) are avoided”: Wanglin Lowangdong demanding tourist circuits.
# “Is there fund earmarked for continuation of CM’s Health Scheme?” Former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki while raising a supplementary question.
During motion of thanks
# “Panch minute main kaun sa shuru koru”: Former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on time restriction.
# “No transparency has been maintained bolna bi achha nehi lagta hain”: Tirong Aboh
# “Opium menace is a very serious issue of our state”: Wanglin Lowangdong.
