Arunachal: Central government committed to development of Northeast region

Arunachal Pradesh: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to the development of Arunachal Pradesh and the entire Northeast region and promised continued financial and administrative support for future projects. Inaugurating five infrastructure projects under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) virtually from Itanagar, Finance Minister Sitharaman said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already accorded top priority to the development of the eight-state region. “The government will continue to provide financial and technical support to development projects of the northeastern states,” she said.

The five infrastructure projects costing over Rs 86 crore include upgradation of district hospitals at Khonsa and Changlang, construction of roads at Pasighat, flood protection and sheet piling at Deobil and cluster MIP at Lower Siang. In his address, Chief Minister Pema Khandu emphasised the unprecedented focus on the Northeast region in the Union Budget since 2014 and said that before this, the Northeast was rarely mentioned. “Now every Union Budget reflects the importance of the Northeast region. A budget is incomplete without paying attention to the Northeast,” he said. He acknowledged the unique challenges faced by the State in terms of infrastructure development but lauded the remarkable progress made under the support of the Central government.

Khandu said the State’s revenue has increased.

Highlighting the vast hydropower potential of Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister said: “Arunachal will make a significant contribution to the national economy through hydropower.”

He lauded the Central Government’s support in ensuring the State’s equity in hydropower projects.

Khandu emphasised the need to upgrade old infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh.

He pointed out that many existing structures are of SPT type and called for rapidly developing them and replacing them with reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures.

The Chief Minister emphasised the need to improve the State’s low Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio and requested the Union Finance Minister’s continued support in expanding banking services.

He lauded the setting up of SBI Regional Business Office (RBO) in the state and urged for providing similar facilities in western Arunachal Pradesh.

Khandu also highlighted the difficulties being faced in getting infrastructure loans due to external interference.