Arunachal CM Pema Khandu projects eight focus areas for village development

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday projected eight pillars of focus for the overall development of villages of the state that would also curb migration of rural folk to urban areas.

The key areas include health, education, connectivity, electricity, livelihood, agriculture, sanitation and water supply.

Khandu informed that the state government is chalking out a broad plan to work on these areas and empower all villages of the state in coming years, a CMO communiqué informed.

Attending the Golden Jubilee celebration of Biru village in West Siang district, Khandu said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been giving special attention to empowering villages through so many centrally sponsored schemes and programs, with which the state government is dovetailing its schemes so that villagers of Arunachal avail maximum benefit.

He said that once the eight areas of focus - proper health facility, quality education, all-weather connectivity, 24x7 power supply, sustainable livelihood, economically viable agriculture, sanitation and hygiene and potable water supply to each household - are achieved, villages and villagers will be empowered.

"The most important unit of our country is a village. Only when our villages are empowered, the country will develop. Arunachal's identity is in our villages," the Chief Minister said.

Expressing concern over the migration of people from villages to urban towns and cities, Khandu said if this is not checked one by one, the state's villages will disappear and so will the distinct cultural identity of the state.

"We are committed to ensuring that all our villages are empowered with all facilities so that they continue to thrive," he assured.

The Chief Minister urged gram panchayat leaders, gaon buras and village elders to closely monitor all schemes and programs being implemented in their respective villages and ensure the quality of work and its timely completion.

He expressed happiness on knowing that Biru village, established 50 years ago, has preserved the rich cultural heritage of the Galos. He commended that the entire village of 50 plus households is cent per cent followers of the indigenous Donyi Polo faith.

"Galos are the torchbearers of the state with perhaps the largest number of government employees. Other communities look up to you. You have the responsibility to lead from the front and set examples for others to follow," he said.

On road connectivity, Khandu assured that all under-construction portions of the Trans Arunachal Highway in the district will be completed by next year. He informed me that the target has been conveyed to the concerned department and contractors and that his office will be closely monitoring.

He also informed that the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has approved the sanction of an additional 2500 km of highways for the state worth Rs 44000 crore.

On a three-day visit to West Siang, the Chief Minister earlier in the day inaugurated the newly constructed building of the Aalo Circuit House, the Golden Jubilee Gate of Biru village and the Taken Riba indoor badminton stadium while declaring open the 9th Chief Minister's sub-veteran and veteran state badminton championship.

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