Centre should make special dispensation for NE: Apang

Itanagar, Apr 21 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang today advocated for a separate planning process for the North Eastern states in view of its divergent socio-economic and geographical conditions.

Releasing the first Human Development Report for his state at a function here, the Chief Minister said the Centre's allocation for Arunachal was too meager to meet its demands.

''Our demands are like an elephant but the allocations are like an ant,'' he remarked, adding the Planning Commission should realise the need of the state and planning should be made on need-based criteria instead of population criteria.

''Despite Arunachal Pradesh maintaining peace and tranquility since long, the Centre failed to accord it due recognition while other North Eastern states were getting more funds even after passing through political and social turbulences,'' the Chief Minister lamented.

''If the Centre wants to remove regional disparity, it should be very realistic in its approach,'' he commented, adding, schemes should be formulated as per the requirements of the state not on centralised pattern.

''A realistic planning involving the people is required and this is possible only when the Centre provides adequate funds,'' he advocated and added that decentralized planning should be made for smaller states.

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