Relations Between the Army and the State Govt need to be Build up- Pul
Itanagar
Chief Minister said that the relations between the Army and the State Govt need to be build up. He said this in a meeting with Lieutenant General, Praveen Bakshi, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarter of Eastern Command when the later called on him in his office today.
He said that the Border Security has been accorded top priority by the state govt and is also very concern with the welfare of Defense Personnel as they often serve in hardships area in these hilly and difficult terrains. He insisted that border areas need to be connected with all weather roads and also emphasis on quality maintenance of these roads. He specifically mentioned that construction work of Tawang Road need to be expedite citing that the progress of work is very slow citing that this road is strategically important in term of defense and tourism point of view.
He asked them to further strengthen their base at eastern part of the state too and requested them to inform him in case of hurdles in getting land requirement from the govt. To expedite the process of land acquisition especially to facilitate the Defense Forces and Border Road Organizations, a single window System has been initiated by the state govt with Chief Secretary as the chairman of the committee with respective DCs, PCCF Environment & Forest as it’s members. He, however, asked them to maintain a uniform rate all over the state while giving land compensation and requested them not to deviate from the rates fixed by the govt.
He further asked them to adequately compensate the family and next of kin of those who lost their lives while accompanying the forces as porter or local guide during patrolling in the border areas.
He reiterated that Advanced Landing Grounds should be allowed for concurrent use both by the Defence Forces and State govt helicopter in peace time. He urged them to convey the message to the Air Force base at Shillong.
He assured that the state govt is always there to cooperate and to provide 100% administrative and local support to the Army. However, he requested them to develop cordial and friendly relations with the civilians and to win the hearts of the local people by taking up welfare activities in the border areas.
Earlier, Lieutenant General, Praveen Bakshi, while citing land as the biggest issue, he apprised the difficulties in getting land acquisition for the establishment of their bases in the state and sought the intervention of the Chief Minister at appropriate level. He also apprised the Chief Minister that Infrastructure Development in the state is their highest priority and informed that the process to strengthen the BRO with sufficient machineries is on fast track now and expressed hope that with this process we will able to move forward faster.
He also requested the Chief Minister to exempt entry tax for the goods of the Defense Personnel as the same is exempted all over India and no separate fund is provided by the Ministry to pay for the entry tax to the state govt. He said that it cause unnecessary delays in movement and transportation of their Ration items.
He further clarify that Army is mainly for the external matters, however, they are ready to help the state govt and the district administration in extreme cases of law and order problem. He sought the cooperation from the Deputy Commissioners in the districts to route through the state govt channel to the Home Ministry or Ministry of Defense if such situation arises.
He was accompanied by Lt General Abhay Krishna, AVSM, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Headquarter 3 Corps and Major General Vikal Sahani, 56 Division Commander, Likhabali whne.
