PTI
Itanagar, May 7
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today acknowledged the role of NABARD in expanding infrastructure network in the state through RIDF and in implementing various development projects at grassroots level. Inaugurating NABARD's office-cum-residential complex here, Tuki said during his interactions with villagers across the state, he has learnt about one institution doing something for them, which was NABARD. He said among the financial institutions operating in the state, NABARD's contribution was far greater than any other institution and expressed his wish of receiving more funding under and outside the ambit of RIDF and also expected advisory support from NABARD in future years.
While recalling his association with NABARD, Tuki congratulated the bank's chairman Dr H K Bhanwala on his first to visit the state.
Dr Bhanwala thanked the state government for playing a major role in allotting land and construction of the complex.
He said while NABARD has already sanctioned projects involving financial assistance of more than Rs 1,200 crore, with the coming up of its own complex, it would be much easier and convenient to broaden it's horizon in the state and assured the Chief Minister that NABARD's cooperation with the state government would reach new heights in the coming years. Dr Bhanwala and NABARD DMD H R Dave had yesterday called on Tuki and met with senior state government officials.
A presentation was made from NABARD's side followed by a presentation from state government by the Secretary, Planning, Sonam Chombay.
During the discussions Tuki proposed to draw up a criteria for selection of projects to be prioritised under RIDF and requested NABARD to consider funding of projects outside the borrowing limit set by the Centre.
Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi mentioned that financing of road projects were a priority for the state and emphasized on the need to draw a pragmatic mapping of connectivity requirements in such parts of the state where improved road connectivity would lead to better price realisation for agriculture and horticulture crops. Appreciating efforts of NABARD in identifying gaps in infrastructure in critical areas, he suggested that there was need to focus on creation of marketing and storage infrastructure and promotion of tourism.
