AATSU urges Arunachal government to resolve MAR and PAC issues amicably

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: "The issue of Mon Autonomous Region (MAR) and Patkai Autonomous Council (PAC) is an internal matter of the State", said the All Arunachal Tourism Students Union (AATSU), adding, "Therefore, the union urges the State government to resolve such sensitive issues amicably, without giving it a political colour."

Addressing reporters at Arunachal press club here on Tuesday, the Union president, Gebom Mugli said that the Union does not oppose the demand for special status, as everyone has the right to demand under a democratic setup but pointed out that the demand should not go against the interest of people of the state.

"We also welcome the CM Pema Khandus proposal for open discussion on the autonomy issue. We would also like to appeal to the State government to immediately organize a series of meetings to solve the issue amicably," he added.

Mugli said, "I firmly believe that the community-based organizations, stakeholders, intellectuals, the Mon Autonomous Region Demand Committee (MARDC) and other government representatives will resolve the sensitive issue.

He also urged the State government to pursue the matter of bringing the State under the protection of Article 371 (A) and Article 372 (G) at par with the States of Nagaland and Mizoram to safeguard the customary law, land and forest rights of people of the State.

"I also appeal to the State government to give special emphasis on the sectors of Education, Health, and especially Tourism," he said, adding that the Tourism sector should not only work as a growth engine but also as an employment generator.

Emphasizing the potentiality of the tourism sector to create large-scale employment, AATSU leader Likha Tath requested the State government to create more posts of District Tourism Officer (DTO) and Tourism Information Officers (TIO).

"Due to the non-creation of DTOs, TIOs and other Grade-D posts under the Tourism department for the last five years, degree holders are gradually losing hope of getting jobs," he said informing that the 50% of the 25 districts don't have officers to oversee the Tourism sector.

AATSU general secretary Taksing Tagio drew the attention of the government towards the State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM) in Banderdewa which is now lying defunct and has not yet been completed despite 12 years of its establishment.

"The project sanctioned at the tune of 14.33 crores rupees in 2009 to RWD department is yet to see the light of day despite it was clearly directed by the centre in the terms and conditions to complete the project within 36 months," he claimed. The organization further demanded that the State government must set up an inquiry committee to investigate the matter and complete the construction of the project as soon as possible.

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