Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Cabinet reviews progress in implementation of 24 action points

The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet on Monday reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the 24 action points that focus on governance reforms, enhancing the quality of life, meeting aspirations of the youth, and investments for development, an official statement said. The government remains resolute in its mission to bring transformative change and ensure holistic development of the state and its citizens, it said. The cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, re-emphasised the need for a whole-of-government approach for the successful and smooth implementation of these 24 action points, and directed departments concerned to work with rigorous convergence and leverage technological interventions to ensure saturation of all flagship central and state schemes among eligible beneficiaries, it said. The cabinet further directed the departments to identify scope for modification in scheme guidelines for ensuring wider coverage of beneficiaries, and to ensure that benefits of all

Arunachal govt serves notices on employees, gaon burahs for protest

Several government employees and 'gaon burahs' or village heads in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang have been served notices by the district administration for allegedly joining protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and supporting the anti-dam movement. Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Hage Lailang had earlier this week served notices on several government employees and 'gaon burahs', asking them to show cause why they should not face disciplinary action for insubordination and misconduct under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Under the CSC Rules, government employees are barred from going on strike or criticising policies of the government. Several anti-dam groups staged a protest rally in Dite Dime in Siang district on August 31, protesting against the proposed SUMP, a massive hydropower project to be executed by power giant, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). "The district administration has served notices a few days ago to man

Arunachal CM Khandu slams Mamata for 'irresponsible' remarks on northeast

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday claimed that his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee's recent comment on the northeast region was "irresponsible" and went against the spirit of unity of the country. He also alleged that the TMC supremo's comment exposed her "politics of anarchy". Addressing a TMC students' wing rally in Kolkata on Wednesday, Banerjee said, "If Bengal is set on fire, Assam, northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi will also be affected." Her comment came in the backdrop of widespread protests against the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata. The unsavoury remarks on the northeast by the West Bengal CM are highly irresponsible and show her desperation. It exposes her politics of anarchy and goes against the spirit of unity in our country. I strongly condemn this, Khandu posted on X. He said people of the northeast region are peace-loving and strongly "deplore those who foment hostilities a

Arunachal's capital, Itanagar to get ropeway, electric buses soon

Arunachal Pradesh's capital, Itanagar, is set to improve its urban transport infrastructure with the introduction of a ropeway system and electric buses. The Mayor of Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC), Tamme Phassang, said on Tuesday night that discussions for the installation of the ropeway system are in the final stages. The IMC is engaging with companies based in Hyderabad and Gujarat to finalise the project, he said. The proposed ropeway will offer a scenic and efficient transport route connecting key areas of the city, operating between Lobi in Division 4, the Secretariat, Ganga Market, Chimpu and vice versa. In addition to the ropeway, the IMC is collaborating with Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) to operate 10 electric buses in the capital city, with the potential for future expansion, he said. It will depend on the success of the trials, he said. "These developments demonstrate IMC's dedication to modernising its transport network and promoting sustai

Arunachal CM announces master plan for development of twin capital cities

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said the state government is preparing a master plan for the long-term development of the twin capital cities, Itanagar and Naharlagun. Inaugurating a drinking water supply project at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun, Khandu said the plan will focus on beautifying the state capital and upgrading colony roads. The new water supply project will significantly increase the institute's water capacity from 200,000 to 1.9 million litres daily, ensuring a more reliable water source, he added. "This futuristic project demonstrates our commitment to improving infrastructure and services in the capital region. Alongside this, we are planning a super specialty complex for TRIHMS and establishing a state cancer institute at Midpu," Khandu shared on X. In another social media post, Khandu reiterated that a master plan is being developed for the long-term growth of Itanagar and Naharlagun, emphasis

Assam, Arunachal, Himachal, TN face grave climate risk to rice productivity

The states at yield risk till a few years back accounted for less than 20 per cent of India's annual rice production

Team Arunachal working relentlessly for state's development: CM Khandu

Team Arunachal Pradesh is working relentlessly to transform every sector and maintain the state's pace of development to realise the goal of a developed India by 2047, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said. He said this after attending a conference here of chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of BJP-ruled states last night. Khandu said that at the conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared their vision and roadmap for realising the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. He said Union Health Minister and BJP President J P Nadda also guided the chief ministers and deputy chief ministers to accelerate the pace of all-round development of their respective state. "Team Arunachal is working day in and day out to transform every sector and maintain the state's pace of development and contribute significantly to realise the goal of developed India," Khandu wrote on 'X'. During the conference, the Prime Minister discussed with the chief ministers and de

Arunachal Pradesh Dy CM presents Rs 993 crore deficit budget for FY25

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Wednesday presented a Rs 993.08-crore deficit budget for 2024-25, focusing on infrastructure, urban development and healthy human resource. Mein, who also holds the Finance, Planning and Investment portfolios, said the budget estimate is pegged at Rs 35,840.79 crore, a 20.85-per cent increase over the 2023-24 figure. Our vision is people-centric and progressive... We are committed to fulfill the aspirations of every person, especially our youth, women and farmers. Staying on this trajectory, by the time we complete the third term in government, there should be no development gaps in the state. We shall be guided by the transformative idea of Viksit Bharat, Viksit Arunachal' as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mein said. The deputy chief minister said the share of central taxes for the 2024-25 budget has been pegged at Rs 21,431.59 crore, an increase of 19.42 per cent over the 2023-24 estimate.

Arunachal Pradesh among top four states in substance abuse: Minister

Arunachal Pradesh is placed among the top four states in the country for all categories of substance abuse, the assembly was informed on Tuesday. Responding to a question by senior BJP member Wanglin Lowangdong, Health & Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge said that according to a survey, the magnitude of substance use in the northeastern state is alarming'. The survey examined the extent and pattern of use of eight categories of psychoactive substances - alcohol, cannabis, opioids, cocaine, amphetamine stimulants, sedatives, inhalants and hallucinogens - and found that Arunachal Pradesh is among the top four states in India, the minister said. He added that opium cultivation has been in practice among several tribes of the state for centuries while poppy cultivation and opium consumption have been deeply ingrained in the socio-economic and cultural life of the people in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. A report by the Central Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) warns of ...

'Arunachal to constitute committee for drafting new industrial policy soon'

Arunachal Pradesh will soon constitute a committee to draft a new industrial policy aimed at attracting investments to the state, Industries Minister Nyato Dukam said. The minister made the announcement during a review meeting with senior officers of the Industries, IPR and Printing, Trade and Commerce, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Labour and Employment, Textile and Handicrafts, and Sericulture departments on Tuesday. Dukam said inputs will be taken from stakeholders to ensure the policy fully realises the state's industrial potential while maintaining investor-friendly measures. He also called for robust coordination among departments to explore and capitalise on opportunities that will enhance the dynamism and success of these departments. During the meeting, officials from each department made presentations, detailing various challenges, opportunities, and strategies moving forward.

Khandu urges Centre to boost flight connectivity from Donyi Polo Airport

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday urged the Centre to increase flight connectivity from Donyi Polo Airport near here to improve connectivity, tourism and commerce in the northeastern state. In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Khandu pointed out that as of now, one flight each is being operated from Donyi Polo Airport to Kolkata (six times a week) and to New Delhi (four times a week). These flights, he said, are regularly operating at complete capacity, often leading to immense surges in travel fares and unavailability of tickets for prospective passengers, including in cases of medical and other exigencies. Also, the absence of daily flight operations hampers ease of access for visitors, tourists, often forcing them to seek other travel options. He said there is no same-day connectivity while travelling from Itanagar to Bhopal and Kochi, causing passengers to spend an additional night in New Delhi or Kolkata. The layover whi

Arunachal re-constitutes six committees to examine Assam border dispute

The Arunachal Pradesh government has re-constituted six regional committees to examine and exercise the present status of border dispute with Assam. A notification issued by the Home and inter-state border affairs department on Thursday said that the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the regional committees, as established, will continue to be governed by the provisions set forth in the original notification issued on June 1, 2022. The remaining six districts of the state where border dispute with Assam still persists as people from both states have not agreed to demarcation of villages along the inter-state border includes, Pakke Kessang, Papum Pare, Kamle, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Longding district respectively. The state government has appointed Health and Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge as the chairman of the committee for Pakke Kessang district with the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police as members. For Papum Pare district, Land Management Minister B

Landslides disrupt surface communication to several Arunachal districts

Surface communication to several districts in Arunachal Pradesh was disrupted by landslides triggered by rains, officials said on Monday. Landslides buried a person in Shi-Yomi district on Friday, according to a report of the state disaster management department. So far four people have died in the state since April due to natural calamities. The Tezu-Hayuliang road remains blocked at Mompani area in Lohit and Anjaw districts, while landslides blocked the Dari-Chambang and the Palin-Taraklengdi via Langdang village PMGSY road in Kra Daadi district, they said. NH 513 also remained blocked at Geying in East Siang district, a report said. Over 72,900 people and 257 villages have so far been affected by floods and landslides in Arunachal since April this year. Floods and landslides also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, culverts, power lines, electric poles, transformers and water supply systems. According to the report, 160 roads, 76 power lines, 30 electric poles, three ..

Light-to-moderate rainfall likely in east, north-east region in a few hours

The met body has also said that occasional intense spells of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are "very likely" in the region.

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu allocates portfolios to newly inducted ministers

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday distributed portfolios among his council of ministers, with his deputy Chowna Mein getting Finance and Mama Natung Home. The council of ministers was sworn in on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein will look after Finance, Planning and Investment departments besides, Tax & Excise, State Lotteries, Economics & Statistics, Power and Non-Conventional Energy Resources, an order issued by state Chief Secretary Dharmendra said. The important Home portfolio was allocated to Mama Natung, besides Inter-state Border Affairs, Public Health Engineering & Water Supply and Department of Indigenous Affairs. Khandu will look after all the departments not assigned to the deputy chief minister and other cabinet ministers. BJP state unit president Biyuram Wahge was allocated the Health & Family Welfare and Water Resources departments. Another fresh face in the cabinet, Nyato Dukam, got the Commerce and Industries, Labour ...

Elected MLAs take oath in Arunachal, Speaker to be elected on June 15

Newly elected MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh took oath on Friday. Pro-tem Speaker Ninong Ering administered the oath to the newly elected members during the inaugural day of the two-day special session summoned by Governor Lt Gen (Retd.) K T Parnaik. Eleven of the newly elected MLAs took oath in Hindi. Fifty-nine of the 60 MLAs took oath during the day, while Ering was administered the oath by the governor on the previous day. As many as 35 members of the outgoing assembly were re-elected while five former members also got elected this time. There are 20 fresh faces in the current assembly. A total of four woman candidates were also elected to the assembly in the April 19 polls. Ering, while congratulating the elected members, advised them to perform their duties diligently to keep the tradition of the House and the aspirations of the people alive. "Participate in healthy deliberation and debates to uphold the dignity of the temple of democracy," Ering said. The House also observed

Khandu approves Rs 100 cr under CM's Social Security Scheme in Arunachal

Hours after being sworn in, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday signed his first official document, approving the release of Rs 100 crore under the Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme (CMSSS) which will benefit approximately 80,000 people across the state. The CMSSS, a state flagship programme, provides pensions to elderly persons above 60 years, widows, and divyang jan (differently abled). "Considering the fact that preparations for the state budget has been delayed due to the general elections, it is necessary that the benefits under CMSSS reach the needy beneficiaries at the earliest," he said. Guided by the principles of Antyodaya, the state government is dedicated to the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of society, an official communiqu said. In the last financial year, Rs 90 crore was allocated under the scheme benefiting 56,030 elderly persons, 8,782 widows and 3,950 differently abled. The Khandu government had launched the scheme in 2019 a

After taking oath as Arunachal CM, Khandu says will fulfil poll promises

BJP returned to power in the state due to the development works undertaken by the Centre in the Northeast, said Pema Khandu

One killed, five missing as Sikkim hit by massive rain-triggered landslides

At least one person was killed and five others went missing as massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfall caused devastation in Sikkim's Mangan district, officials said on Thursday. Landslides blocked stretches of roads and several houses were inundated or damaged, while electricity poles were swept away, they said. The body of a person was found in Pakshep area of Mangan, while three persons went missing from Ambithang near Rangrang and two others from Pakshep. Three houses were damaged in Geythang, while several houses were damaged and roads blocked at Nampathang near Pentok, they said. The Bringbong police outpost was shifted to another nearby location due to a landslide while the foundation of a bridge at Sankalan was damaged. Mobile network services were affected in North Sikkim even as a request was made by the district administration to send an SDRF team with ration to Mangan, the officials said. Meanwhile, Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri convened an u

Pema Khandu set to retain post as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh

Pema Khandu will become the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third term in a row, BJP sources said. Khandu was elected the BJP Legislature Party leader at a meeting here on Wednesday. BJP's central observers Ravi Sankar Prasad and Tarun Chugh attended the meeting. Khandu will stake claim to form the government later in the day, sources said.