Flights Of Fantasy
[ M Panging Pao ]
A very warm welcome to all readers to the pleasant month of October! This month heralds the onset of winter season.
The previous month was marked by good and not so good news. The good news included the official inauguration of the state’s first Sainik School at Niglok near Pasighat, the launch of the ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ programme, and the launch of the Chief Minister Aarogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAAY) along with Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY).
The CMAAY along with the PMJAY will provide healthcare coverage to almost all the families of Arunachal Pradesh with cashless treatment of Rs 5 lakh per family per year, which will include all state government employees, tribal families, and non-APST permanent residents. This will replace the earlier Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme.
The launch of the CMAAY with the PMJAY will provide relief to lakhs of patients from Arunachal Pradesh. If implemented effectively, it has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in our state.
The other good news was the launch of the ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ programme throughout the state. The plan is to bring administrative facilities and utilities to the doorsteps of most citizens of the state. If implemented effectively, it also has potential to revolutionize good governance in our state.
The not so good news included the continuing imbroglio of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive Examination held recently.
With papers being assessed and reassessed and multiple candidates filing cases in various courts, the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission needs to get its house in order at the earliest.
The not so good news also included slow progress in many projects of vital importance. These include the appalling condition of the Banderdewa to Itanagar road, the Trans-Arunachal Highway, the delayed commissioning of the Kameng and the Pare hydropower projects, and the much delayed Itanagar greenfield airport project.
While the government has announced that the foundation stone of the Itanagar greenfield airport project will be laid in December, it is perplexing that so much time and effort is required to repair/maintain the road from Banderdewa to Itanagar. Officials and executing agencies should realize that the gateway to the capital of the state should be better maintained.
While the 2000 mw Lower Subansiri project is delayed due to continued opposition from various organisations in Assam, it was expected that the Kameng and the Pare hydropower projects would be launched on time. There seems to be some critical issues delaying these two important projects.
Recently, the state government launched and organised an innovative concept like the ATAL Conclave with 150 youths from all corners of the state suggesting ideas to the government. Some young minds can come up with very good suggestions. Our state indeed requires good and fresh ideas for better, clean and effective governance. Sabka saath, sabka vikaas! (The contributor is retired Group Captain, Indian Air Force)
