Agencies
ITANAGAR, MARCH 16
Development has begun in Arunachal Pradesh with a paradigm shift in the development process by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said here on Sunday.
He said that the process would be reversed for states to generate resources to speed up development by doing away with the special category state status.
"As per new criteria of tax devolution by the 14th Finance Commission, Arunachal will get four times higher allocation (Rs 7,231 crore)," Rijiju said while talking to media on the sidelines of the 'Arunachal Panorama' (Festival of Unity in Diversity) at Rajiv Gandhi University at Doimukh, near here.
However, he expressed apprehension about the state having the capacity to absorb such huge funds.
"The funds allocated are surrendered while utilisation certificates remain pending all the times," he said.
In tune with the Look East policy of the NDA Government, all eight states of the northeast will witness tremendous growth within next four years, the Minister said, adding that border trade will begin at Moreh (Manipur), Pangsau Pass and Tawang (in Arunachal).
He said BSNL will provide broadband facilities within a year and all Arunachal villages, irrespective of population will be linked by road by 2019.
Rijiju described the region as uniquely gifted in terms of having excess water, and predicted that Arunachal is poised to be one of the most prosperous states of the country if its potential is realised to its fullest.
"We are a region with more governments and less governance and with excessive obsession for positions," he said.
As an example, Rijiju cited the banners of students' union elections decorating both sides of the capital's roads.
He wondered if it "reflected the states' future with no such trend in the world and advocated actions within the ambit of law".
Calling on the Rajiv Gandhi University to develop a pan-Arunachal identity, Rijiju said that the institution is not only a centre of excellence, but also a symbol of unity that could become the guiding force for state building.
For this, he said, the academicians could play a vital role.
"Intolerance is the greatest enemy of Arunachal with the locals only identifying themselves on clan lines.
If Nagami is the unifying factor for Nagas, Arunachalees have to evolve a pan-Arunachalee identity as their unifying symbol," he reasoned.
