In October 1999, people reposed their full faith in the Government led by Shri Mukut Mithi  and the Government in its turn committed itself to strive hard for realizing their dreams of a happy and prosperous Arunachal Pradesh by providing a clean, responsive, transparent and people-friendly administration.

The most formidable challenge that Arunachal faces is lack of surface and other communication infrastructures. The cost that would incur on building them in a vast and hilly terrain like Arunachal Pradesh makes the task more formidable. The forest policy of placing progressively increasing emphasis on conservation of forests as an ecological imperative in recent years has resulted in drastic decline in revenue earning of the State. Last year, on June I 1, a vast region of the State witnessed unprecedented flash floods resulting in heavy loss of human lives, agricultural fields, livestock and property. Although the State Government has been successful in persuading the Planning Commission to increase the Plan size, the increase is nominal. Our Plan size, in real terms, has been stagnating, or even declining. The Government of India is following the policy of rigorous fiscal reforms.

The above mentioned odds pose a great challenge, no doubt. But the people and the Administration rose to the occasion to meet the challenges. The resources that we have are being deployed with the greatest possible efficiency. Admittedly, the said heavy odds have slowed down the desired process of development, but could not deter us from progressing towards our goals. Our endeavours came to fruition.

Achievements

During last two years, we have marched with the people hand in hand on the path of progress. Our achievements in decentralizing the process of planning and decision-making have been spectacular. Our progress in developing the vast potentials of tourism, hydropower, non-tirnber resources and human resources has not been less impressive. Despite severe constraints of resources, we have been able to create a good number of physical and social infrastructures.

New Administrative Units Created

Within a short span of two years two new districts viz. Kurung Kumey and Lower Dibang Valley were created to make available the services of development agencies at the doorsteps of the people. Community Development Blocks were created at Laju and Kanubari in Tirap district and at Nafra in West Kameng district. Besides, Sub-divisional headquarters at Namsai in Lohit district and at Longding in Tirap district were upgraded by giving independent status to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Sub-divisions. These administrative reforms were carried out to quicken the pace of development in the said comparatively backward area.

ltanagar Permanent Bench Of Gauhati High Court Established

The long pending demand of the people to establish a bench of High Court was fulfilled with the establishment of the Permanent Bench of Gauhati High Court at Naharlagun on 12 August 2000.

District Planning Committees Constituted

In order to decentralize the process of planning, District Planning Committee was constituted in each district under the chairmanship of respective Deputy Commissioners. All MLAs of the district and the district heads of the development departments are the members of the District Planning Committees. The scheme has spurred the enthusiasm of the people and the public representatives alike. The locally felt small schemes that remain uncovered under the state level schemes are taken up under the District Planning. The Committee is vested with the power to approve schemes that is confined within a particular district, do not cost more than 1 0 lakh each, and can be completed within one year. An amount of Rs I Crore has been placed at the disposal of each Deputy Commissioner to conceive, plan and execute the schemes based on the needs of the local people. It has helped the State Government not only in decentralizing the planning process but also has enabled the State Planning Board to focus on the schemes of inter-district and of State-wide importance.

A Number of Schemes Under Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources Taken Up

In all, the Government of India has sanctioned an amount of Rs 380.55 crore against 22 numbers of schemes under this package. With the vigorous follow up, Rs 70.54 crore have been released for 14 numbers of schemes. The works are in full swing and the projects are in different stages of completion.

MLA Local Area Development Fund Created

Under this Development Fund, an amount of Rs. 20 lakh have been earmarked for each assembly constituency totaling Rs. 12 crore for 60 constituencies in the State and the same has been placed at the disposal of respective Deputy Commissioners to take up suitable schemes in consultation with respective MLAs.

Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Raj Bill, 1977 Enacted

After protracted correspondence and persuasion, Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Raj Bill, 1997 received the assent of the President of India on 13 April 2001 and was notified as an Act by the State Government on 3 May 2001 paving the way for holding Panchayat Elections and establishing Panchayati Raj institutions in the State. Necessary action has been initiated to frame various Rules, which are pre-requisites to the establishment of Panchayat Raj Institutions.

Reservation Policy Amended

The Government has reserved 50% of the promotion posts for APST candidates in group A posts. Further, with a view to secure increased representation of APST candidates on higher posts, the State Government has enhanced their reservation quota from 50% to 80% for appointment against group A posts in respect of direct recruitment.

A Push Forward To Tourism Promotion

Arunachal Pradesh has vast tourism potential. Being conscious of the potential of tourism industries as employment generators and the limitations of the Government to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youths, the Government has identified tourism sector as thrust area for development by involving private sector. In order to give fillip to development of Tourism, Brahmaputra Darshan Festival was organized for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh on the bank of Dibang, a tributary of Brahmaputra in February 2001. It was a huge success. Bomdila and Tawang are most favoured tourist destinations in the State. In order to further popularize these places of exotic beauty and land of monasteries, Buddha Mabotsava is going to be celebrated on 13-15 October 2001. State Government has decided to organize next Brahmaputra Darshan Festival at Pasighat on the bank of Siang River, the main tributary of Brahmaputra. An exclusive web site has been created on Internet for the convenience of the potential tourists and to promote tourism in the State. The State Government has embarked on a well thought out plan to develop tourism industry in the State in a big way.

Making Rapid Strides to Develop Power Sector

Ranganadi Hydro-electric project with an installed capacity of 405 MW will be commissioned shortly. The Project once fully commissioned will be the biggest hydropower project in the North-East Region. The Government has initiated steps for simultaneous development of transmission and distribution network for evacuation of power from the Ranganadi Project. Construction works on laying 132 KV single circuit transmission line from Ziro to Along via Daporijo and another 220 KV single circuit line between Kathalguri and Deomaii are under progress.

Survey and Investigation works of Siang and Subansiri basin mega hydropower projects have made considerable progress. The detailed project report on Subansiri lower basin has been submitted to the Central authority for technical and financial appraisal.

Transmission sub-stations one each at Nirjuli and Naharlagun were commissioned recently to ease the power supply to the twin-capital towns. The foundation stone of Energy Park was laid at Itanagar. The Project is being implemented with the support of the Union Ministry of Non- Conventional Energy Sources.

Thrust on Development of Communication Network

Surface Transport is least developed in Arunachal Pradesh and therefore it has been the endeavours of the State Government to establish proper road network in the State. Towards this end, the Government could persuade NEC to approve three inter-state roads, namely Naharkatia-Khonsa, Margherita- Changlang and Jote-Balijan-Ghaigaon. The works on all the three road projects are in progress.

The proposal of the State Government to the Ministry of Surface Transport for a National Highway along the middle belt of the State is under consideration of the Ministry.

In order to provide surface connectivity to Hawai, construction of a motorable Steel Suspension Bridge at Chequenty over Lohit river linking Hayuliang- Kibithu road in Lohit district has been completed. Besides, Pumao-Longding and Mintong-Khasa roads in Tirap district and Rangkatoo-Kuchep and Nampong-Rima-Tikhak-Putak roads in Changlang district have been completed.

Keeping in view the development of people inhabiting remote border areas and the importance of such areas from strategic point of view, the Government has taken due initiatives to provide surface connectivity to the villages situated in border areas by developing proper road network. Accordingly, works on new border roads like Tuting-Gelling, Etalin- Maleney, Anini-Mipi, Hayuliang-Chagiagam and Limiking-Taksing roads have already commenced.

The construction work on motorable Suspension Bridge over River Subansiri at Taliha is about to be completed. With the completion of this bridge the villages on the left bank of the River Subansiri will be connected to administrative headquarters at Taliha.

 During unprecedented flood in Siang river last year, the surface communication to Tuting and Yingkiong got completely cut off. The connectivity was established through restoration works on Pasighat-Damro road and Yingkiong was connected via Pasighat - Mariyang.

During last two years, in all, 38 numbers of bridges, 20 number of small and medium bridges under BMS and 18 numbers of small and medium bridges under state plan, have been completed.

Revamping Telecommunication System

Interior areas of the State still suffer serious communication problem. To overcome this bottleneck the Government has decided to install INMARSAT terminals in all sub-divisions, circle and block headquarters and other remote centers.

New Agricultural Policy Formulated

The Government being fully aware of the problems being faced by the farmers in procurement of quality seeds, fertilizers and access to modern technology, has formulated a new agricultural policy to address these problems. The Government is also persuading TRIFED to undertake minimum support price operations for agricultural and horticultural produce which is in surplus.

"Kisan Credit Card" Scheme Introduced

A model scheme has been formulated to issue Kisan Credit Card to farmers to enable them to avail of timely credit support from cooperative banks and other financial institutions. The credit card will ensure timely credit flow to the farmers.

"Krishi Shramik Samajik Suraksha Yojna -2001' to be Implemented in Tirap District

In order to safeguard the interests of agricultural workers who are the most vulnerable section of the society, the Government of India has launched a scheme of 'Krishi Shramik Samajik Suraksha Yojna - 2001 '. This is an insurance scheme. To begin with, the scheme has to be implemented in only one district from each State. The State Government has selected Tirap district for the purpose. Under the scheme, each agricultural worker has to contribute Rs.365/- per annum and the Government of India will contribute Rs. 730/- per annum per beneficiary.

Minimum Wages Enhanced

Keeping in view the plight of labourers and ever increasing cost of living the minimum wages of labourers were enhanced by 12% over the previous rates of wages with effect from the momentous day of 1 May 2001, the Labour Day.

New Industrial Policy Formulated

A new industrial policy has been formulated to encourage private investments in the State. Due to our restrictive policies, investors have been shying away from investing in Arunachal Pradesh. Our resources being limited, the outside investments and technical expertise will help us in development of industries including tourism in the State. It is hoped that the investor friendly industrial policy shall give fillip to industrial growth in the State.

Action to Develop Bamboo and Cane Based Industries Initiated

Arunachal Pradesh has tremendous potentials for economic developments through sustainable harnessing of its vast resources of bamboo and cane. These non-timber forest produce are indeed a viable alternative to wood based industries as bamboo and cane can substitute wood to a great extent in industries. Necessary steps are being taken to attract private entrepreneurs for setting up small and medium scale industrial units in the State to manufacture a wide range of bamboo products like bamboo mat and ply boards, composite furniture, javelin, toothpicks, activated charcoal etc. and a score of handicraft items. Very shortly with the assistance of UNDP-KFRI a cane curing unit is being set up for value addition in the State. A detailed programme has been chalked out by involving State Forest Research Institute, the Industries department, UNDP, ICFRC etc. to embark upon the genetic improvement of bamboo species and imparting training on resource development sector. The programme includes development of handicraft sector also. It also envisages greater role of the community and peoples' participation in developing a non-timber forests resources based industries in the State. 

Development of Floriculture and Medicinal Plants on Anvil

Arunachal holds great promises for development of floriculture and medicinal plants. Of late, at the initiative of SFRI some enterprising youths have already taken up cultivation of orchids and medicinal plants. The State Government is keen to develop this sector mainly with a view to raise the productivity of land and at the same time provide a meaningful and gainful source of self-employment to enterprising farmers and enterprising youths. A State level board is being constituted for the development of medicinal plants.

Tea Cultivation Package for Small and Marginal Farmers recast

As originally conceived the scheme became@top heavy, centralized and entail a lot o@administrative expenditure. It has been recast so that it is decentralized, there is flexibility to respond to local needs and overhead expenses are reduced. The earmarked funds are being placed at the disposal of respective Deputy Commissioner for speedy implementation of the scheme.

Remarkable Progress Under Water Resource Sector

The State Government, within a short span of two years has brought 964 Ha. under Command Area Development and created irrigation potential to cover 9592 Ha. of cultivable land under minor irrigation schemes. Besides, survey and investigation works in an area admeasuring 3106 Ha. has almost been completed under Medium Irrigation Scheme.

At the initiative of the state government, seven numbers of schemes costing 12.5 crore have been sanctioned by the government of India and these schemes are being executed and targeted to be completed within 5 years.

Besides, 14 nos. of schemes pertaining to flood control costing Rs. 57.62 crore have been sanctioned under non-lapsable central pool of resource for Northeast against which an amount of Rs. 27.65 crore has been released and 17.65 crore has been utilized. The works are under various stages of execution.  

ltanagar Water Supply Scheme Commissioned

The State Government has fulfilled its promise to the people of Capital town to provide safe drinking water. The scheme of water supply in ltanagar township with a capacity of 7 million liters per day was commissioned on 17 June 2001. Other important towns shall be covered under similar schemes in a phased manner.

College of Horticulture and Forestry Established

A College of Horticulture and Forestry was established at Pasighat under the aegis of Central Agriculture University, lmphal.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Rajya Mission, Arunachal Pradesh Launched

The Abhiyan is launched by the State Government to fulfill the following objectives.

(i) All children of age group 6 - 14 will be in School by 2003
(ii) All children to complete 5 years of primary schooling by 2007
(iii) All children to complete 8 years of elementary schooling by 2010
(iv) Focus on quality education with emphasis on education for life
(v) Bridge all the gender and social category gaps at primary stage by 2007 and at elementary stage by 201 0
(vi) Universal retention by 201 0 Under this Abhiyan the primary concern of the State Government over large dropouts at the elementary education stage has been satisfactorily addressed.

Awards For Meritorious Students Instituted

Two separate awards in the memory of late Dera Natung, former Minister of Education and late Sangay Lhacien Shenga, former Secretary, Education have been instituted by the State Government, which will be given to meritorious students of class- X and class-XII every year.

Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy and Special Area Game Centre Established

With the establishment of Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy, the long felt need of sportsmen has been fulfilleci. This is one of the two sports academies in the North East. The Directorate of Sports and Games in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India has set up "Special Area Game" as a Centre of excellence for sports and games at Nahariagun.

Arunachal Pradesh Chapter of Olympic Association Affiliated to Indian Olympic Association

After long persuasion of the State Government the Arunachal Pradesh Chapter of Olympic Association has been affiliated to Indian Olympic Association. This will give opportunity to the deserving sportspersons to participate in games and sports events at National level.

Polytechnic Institute Being Established

Under an externally aided project of the World Bank the Polytechnic Institute is going to be established at ltanagar at an estimated cost of Rs.23.00 crore.

Stipend for School, Higher and Technical Education Enhanced

The rate of stipend was increased by Rs. 1 00.00 per month for all Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes i candidates from primary to higher level studies.

Incentives to Government Schools to Perform

The dismal performance of the students of the Government Schools in Central Board of Secondary School and Senior Secondary School Examinations has been a matter of grave concern for the State Government. As an incentive to perform better, the State Government has decided to give Rs. 1.00 lakh each to ail those Government Schools in the State which secures pass percentage of 60% or more in the Central Board Examinations.

Together We Shall Succeed

During last two years the State Government has strived hard and worked hand in hand with the people to fulfill its promises. Some are fulfilled; many more are yet to be realized. The task is daunting, but the resolve of the Government to succeed is even greater. The endeavours of the State Government shall continue till we fulfill your expectations.

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