Arunachal CM avers judicious use of PM's package

Itanagar, Apr 15: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today asserted that his government had a vision for development in various spheres, including proper implementation and judicious utilisation of the Prime Minister's package for the state, announced recently.

Addressing the people on the occasion of his government's completion of one year in office, the Chief Minister said, ''A new era of development has commenced in Arunachal and the state government has prepared a road map for speedy development of the state.'' However, former Chief Minister Gegong Apang alleged that Mr Khandu's claims of achievements were ludicrous.

Mr Khandu, who defeated Mr Apang last year, after taking oath as the Chief Minister, announced to revive the sick Apex Bank, streamline the Public Distribution System (PDS) and check corruption.

All the 32 branches of the bank were revived and six FCI base depots were established to streamline the PDS.

''To minimise corruption, besides taking strict action against delinquents, we are reviewing systems, procedures and practices in vogue to insulate them from corruption. Once the system is transparent, there would be no room for corrupt practices,'' he stated in his speech.

Referring to the Prime Minister's package, the Chief Minister said in order to eliminate any chances of misuse of funds, the state government would videograph the work to be undertaken under the package.

Highlighting the achievements in various fields during the past year, the Chief Minister disclosed that with an aim to attract investors from outside, the state government would soon frame a new industrial policy, which would be investor-friendly without compromising on local interests.

''The policy inter alia includes cent per cent equity ownership of an industry for a period of 99 years besides giving price and purchase preferences and tax exemptions and subsidy on captive power generation,'' he informed, adding that a comprehensive policy for granting adequate compensation to people affected by hydropower projects was in the pipeline.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were the special guests on the occasion.

UNI