Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Vital Decision to Combat COVID

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has decided that the work on achieving the target of 1000 oxygen beds in the state within a definite timeline has to be expedited.

The cabinet took the decision in its virtual meeting held on Friday last wherein it reviewed the status of Covid-19 situation including status of oxygen beds, PSA plants, medicines, vaccine procurement and vaccination and steps taken to fight the pandemic in the state.

Khandu directed the district administrations to evolve a mechanism at district and sub-division levels to assist registration for vaccination of all eligible population, especially in rural areas. He insisted on vaccination of all registered persons.

Pema Khandu said that while the focus of the government is on fighting the pandemic, other works should also continue, a CMO communiqué informed here on Sunday.

Reviewing the status of Package B and C of the four-lane highway (NH 415) from Papunallah to Nirjuli (B) and Nirjuli to Banderdewa (C), the Cabinet approved the proposal for providing demolition cost as incentive for both the packages and payment of land compensation for construction of a via-duct over river Dikrong at Kolma.

As per the decision, compensation would be disbursed by the district administration after due verification. It also mentioned that the district administration shall be solely responsible for any anomalies in this regard. The cabinet also decided for self-demolition of structures on the ROW, the policy of the government on demolition charges in Package - A may be applied for both the packages.

Khandu insisted that the land for package C be handed over to the highway department within seven days so that the contractor can start work on the ground at the earliest.

The cabinet further approved for contribution of revenue from sale of 1 per cent power from the 12 per cent free share of state government from 405 MW Ranganadi hydro electric project, to Local Area Development Fund (LADF) with effect from April 4, last year. In another development, the cabinet decided to allot the 90 MW New Melling hydro project to North East Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) in pursuance of the National Hydro Policy and Arunachal Pradesh Hydro Policy.

The free power to the state will be 12 per cent with additional 1 per cent for LADF. The state government would also allocate 1 per cent from its free power allocation for LADF.

The Cabinet however stated that while signing the MoU with NEEPCO, a condition should be added that project work shall commence at the ground within two years of the signing date, which could be extended for a period of one year for reasons to be recorded in writing, and in case of failure of commencement of work at the ground within three year period the said MoU shall be deemed cancelled.

The cabinet has asked the land management department to examine the utility of the Jhum Land Regulation 1947 in the present times and bring out a uniform policy for land acquisition, including the amended 'Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in 'Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013' and the rules made there under.

Other decisions made by the cabinet include shifting of Kra-Daadi district headquarters from Jamin to Palin, up-gradation of Gepen CO headquarter to ADC headquarter under Kamle district and up-gradation of Pangin EAC headquarter to independent ADC headquarter under Siang district by diverting the existing ADC post of Boleng, the communiqué added.

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