ZIRO, Jan 21: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday launched the third leg of the ‘Arunachal Rising’ (AR) campaign here in Lower Subansiri district, in the presence of MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju and MLAs Tage Taki and Likha Saaya.
The chief minister also dedicated the water conservation project and the ecotourism resort located at Siikhe village to the people of Ziro.
Built at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, the project is estimated to give an annual income of Rs 45 lakhs, benefitting 48 families, said Pema.
The CM also dedicated an Industrial Training Institute to the people of Lower Subansiri district. He said the institute would initially begin its academic session with an intake of around 70 to 100 students in five trades.
Pema also laid the foundation of a water supply augmentation project of 6.32 mld capacity for Hapoli township. He issued strict instructions to the executing agency, PHED, to complete the project within two years.
Once completed, the project will meet the drinking water requirement of Hapoli township.
Later, the CM inaugurated the memorial gate of the government higher secondary school here, which has been named after the first agency councillor of the NEFA, late Dani Kunia.
Pema also unveiled the bust of Kania in the school campus, paid homage to Kunia, and met with Kunia’s family members.
Later, addressing a public meeting, the chief minister highlighted the achievements of the state government in the education, health, connectivity, education, etc, sectors.
Speaking on connectivity issues and the subject of mismanagement of the compensation money for the Potin-Pangin and the Joram-Koloriang roads, Pema said his government would not spare anyone who is found involved in the compensation scam.
He said action has been taken against those involved in the Joram-Koloriang compensation scam, and informed that the compensation for the Joram-Koloriang stretch of the road has been finalized and will be distributed to the beneficiaries.
Pema said the first phase of the Potin-Pangin road, covering 40 kms, “has report of excess compensation as per the compensation evaluation carried out by the government.”
He said the list of excess compensation paid would be put up in public domain. “Also, the SIC has investigated the matter and a case has been registered,” he said.
The CM said action would be taken against government officials who are found to have misappropriated the compensation amount. He urged the beneficiaries to return the excess compensation amount, lest they should face action.
The chief minister commended the individuals and organisations that recently gave up their compensation money and assured to seek no compensation in order to facilitate speedy execution of highway works.
Rijiju in his address said the Potin-Pangin highway “is the lifeline for Subansiri and the middle Siang belt.”
“To usher in development and to create a sustainable economy in this region, this highway needs to be started without any further delay, ” said Rijiju.
“We have all somehow let down our genuine beneficiaries and stalled the Trans-Arunachal Highway project. It is high time we as officers in responsible positions, leaders and intellectuals of the society cooperated with the reassessment team and abided by the government orders,” he said.
Highlighting the initiatives taken up by him, the union minister informed that 433 girls and boys from Arunachal and other parts of the Northeast have been recruited in Delhi Police, and a special cell for NE Police has come up in Delhi.
“I have also initiated to provide height relaxation for the people of the hill areas of Arunachal, Mizoram and Manipur in army recruitment process,” he said.
Rijiju informed that in Lower Subansiri a crafts bazaar with an amphitheatre (at Rs 4.84 lakhs), development of Kardo Hills, and a multipurpose shopping complex (at Rs 7.42 lakhs), which were facilitated by him, have been completed and will soon be dedicated to the public.
Earlier, Rijiju laid the foundation stone for the Rs 28 crore water supply project from the Pange river to Ziro.
He also highlighted the development activities initiated under the MPLAD for Lower Subansiri district.
Among others, MLA Tage Taki, senior citizen Nending Rido, and Dani Sulu also spoke.
Felicitation of ASHAs, anganwadi workers, progressive farmers and winners of the essay writing competition held under the ‘Arunachal Rising’ campaign, and a cultural programme by students and women were the other highlights of the programme. (CMO and DIPRO)
