Coronavirus contained due to teamwork: CM Pema Khandu

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that the State could contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic due to the collective team work of various stakeholders in the State through meticulous planning.

Participating in the 'Motion of Thanks' on Governor address, Khandu informed the House on Tuesday that though the year 2020-21, passed through a crucial phase due to the pandemic yet the State government carried on all-important Central projects besides providing salaries to its employees, pensions and stipend to students.

"Despite the pandemic, the government was able to disburse salaries, pensions and stipends and released payment to the tune of Rs 1,900 crore for continuation of all pending central projects and schemes," said Khandu while admitting that the Budget proposal for 2020-21 could not be implemented in the State.

He also said that the government could contain spread of the pandemic as the State imposed lockdown two days ahead of the national lockdown. He lauded the Health workers, frontline workers, administrative officers, police, community based organizations and other stakeholders for their teamwork in controlling the virus.

Lauding the MLAs for their support to the government in the fight against COVID by forgoing 30 percent of their salaries, Khandu added that 45 MLAs contributed 20 lakh each to the Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF) besides other individuals, as a result of which an amount of 23 crore were raised for effective Covid management.

"Under the 'Garib Kalyan Yojana' of the Prime Minister, the State government provided free ration to BPL ninety thousand BPL families including migrant labourers during the nationwide lockdown," the Chief Minister said adding, under the Ujala scheme, the government provided LPG connections to several thousand families.

Referring to the financial situation of the State, Khandu informed that under the 14th Finance Commission (2015-16 to 2019-20) the State witnessed a shortfall of Rs 2,650 crore while in 2020-21, the State witnessed a shortfall of Rs 4,121 crore which amount to a total shortfall of Rs 6,700 crore in the last five years.

"Despite the shortfall, the government did not allow the State to go through financial crisis due to meticulous planning and excellent teamwork," he added.

Participating in the discussion CLP leader LomboTayeng appreciated the NDA government's thrust on border connectivity saying that during the UPA regime at the Centre, construction of roads at border areas was totally banned due to various factors. Tayeng also appreciated the 'Chief Minister Road Development Plan' which, he said would bring all-round development in the State.

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