Itanagar, June 13: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called for special support and policy backing from the central government to address the state’s developmental challenges and strategic needs. During a high-level meeting of northeastern state chief ministers organized by NITI Aayog, he raised several crucial issues.
Khandu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the ‘Act East Policy’ has significantly improved connectivity, infrastructure, and public confidence in the northeastern region, creating new opportunities for development and investment.
Despite being the largest state in the northeast by area, Arunachal Pradesh faces numerous developmental challenges due to its difficult geography and scattered population. Khandu emphasized the need for special infrastructure assistance to tackle these challenges.
He announced that the state aims to achieve a hydropower production target of 40,000 megawatts by 2047. To this end, he requested coordinated support from NITI Aayog and various ministries of the central government. He also highlighted the importance of skill development and promoting ancillary industries to create job opportunities for local youth through hydropower projects.
Regarding financial resource allocation, Khandu called for a review of the population-based funding system. He argued that states with low populations but large geographical areas suffer under the current arrangement. He suggested that area, difficult terrain, and strategic importance should also be considered as bases for funding.
On connectivity, he urged for an expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to include villages with populations of 250 or more. He pointed out that despite the success of the Vibrant Village Program, many remote villages still lack road access.
Khandu also noted that Arunachal Pradesh has received less benefit from externally aided projects compared to other northeastern states. He requested the establishment of special arrangements to bridge this gap.
During the meeting, he announced the establishment of the ‘Institute of Transforming Arunachal’ and sought guidance from NITI Aayog to develop it into a leading policy and administrative think tank.
He mentioned initiatives like “Government at Your Doorstep,” “Service at Your Doorstep,” and “Cabinet at Your Doorstep,” which aim to deliver government services directly to remote villages.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Berry praised Arunachal Pradesh’s human resource potential and suggested strengthening ITIs in collaboration with large hydropower project groups.
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