Final Notification for Siang District Head Quarter very soon – Khandu
Pangin
Chief Minister promised that the state government will release final notification within two months for establishing the district headquarters for Siang district. He appealed the people to come to amicable solution in their choice for district headquarters. The new district headquarter, Khandu promised, will be made fully functional within short time as funds for development activities won’t be a hindrance informing that the state cabinet has decided on a separate fund provision for it.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu made these promised during his maiden visit to Pangin which was accorded a warm welcome led by Advisor to Chief Minister, Tapang Taloh.
People dressed in traditional attire, school students and Gaon Burahs welcomed the the Chief Minister who was accompanied by Home Minister Kumar Waii, Education Minister Honchun Ngandam, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development Minister Tanga Byaling and Parliamentary Secretary Home Pani Taram.
Attending the public meeting, the Chief Minister appreciated the bold decision of Taloh for having sacrificed his ministerial post, which he said was done for the larger interest of the state. Khandu appreciated the gesture as an expression of confidence shown by him to see a stable government under his leadership.
Speaking on the cordial relation shared between his late father Dorjee Khandu, former CM and Taloh, the Chief Minister recalled that during his father’s tenure also, he had sacrificed the Ministerial post. “It is only during difficult times that our own people will be willing to make sacrifices,” he said adding that leadership quality shown by Taloh is rare to see.
Speaking on Siang district creation, the Chief Minister said the demand was raised since 1982. Since Arunachal is a big state, creation of more districts to bring government closer to the people is a good step, said Khandu. “I favour creation of new districts though I understand that it has huge financial liabilities,” he said and informed that about 4-5 such demands are still pending, which will be examined in the cabinet soon.
Khandu said that as Tourism Minister during Nabam Tuki government, he was always in support for creation of Siang district and had assured his cooperation if moved in the cabinet. Consequently, the Siang district was created in 2013 during which he had visited Pangin accompanying former CM Tuki for its inauguration.
Observing that Siang district is rich in agriculture and horticulture sector, the Chief Minister assured that state government will frame policy to provide better marketing access to the farmers. He also called for the district to explore more on avenues like tourism and hydropower declaring that any developmental activities that are culturally, environmentally and demographically harmful will never be encouraged.
Informing on major initiatives being taken by state government for development, the Chief Minister said that a special package from centre is being awaited, for which the government had already submitted a proposal. Also the state government has released Rs 2200 crore through State Development Council (SDC) to the departments.
Earlier in his speech, Home Minister Waii called on people of Arunachal, especially from Abotani belt to find ways to resolve conflicts peacefully and conduct themselves so that development is not hampered. Comparing Tawang with Abotani belt, he said though Tawang has difficult terrain, central government officials prefer to visit that place just because people are highly hospitable there. The Minister said people need to rethink on their conduct and not make atmosphere difficult for development to come.
Appreciating Khandu’s leadership, Ngandam informed that state government has released Rs 10 crore for each constituency cutting across party lines. “That is equality and equality will lead to development,” he said.
The Education Minister also briefed on centre- state relation and said the relation is growing stronger each day. He also informed of recent state government release of Rs 53 crore for SSA teachers.
Also speaking on occasion, Taram and Byaling appreciated Taloh’s leadership and credited him on creation of Siang district.
The public meeting also witnessed colourful cultural dances presented by school children of KGBV and Govt Higher Secondary School, Pangin.
