Apang blames Centre for poor fund allocation

Itanagar, July 10 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang has blamed the Centre for poor fund allocation and lack of initiatives to develop the state.

Speaking at the Regional Consultation meeting on 11th Five-year plan for the North-Eastern states at Shillong, Mr Apang said, ''We have experienced this in the last fifty years' planned development,'' adding ''there was a total mismatch between what Arunachal Pradesh needed and what was given.'' He said one main reason for the failure of the planned development was the inability of the Centre to recognise the unique character of the state and its vast potential of untapped natural resources.

Talking about backward areas, in a draft approach paper, Mr Apang said essential services should be provided to the poor, particularly in health, education, infrastructure development, agricultural dynamism, tourism and employment generation.

''The 11th Five-Year Plan offers a historic opportunity to put things in proper perspective and the Commission should reorient the approach to development of the state,'' the Chief Minister said adding ''this is the right time to make a new beginning with the 11th Five Year Plan.'' Expressing his tribute to the Planning Commission for holding the meeting in the North-East, the chief minister has appealed to the Centre to help develop infrastructure and tap natural resources.

''We would stop seeking Central assistance. We want to make our state economically self-reliant,'' he said.

He urged the Planning Commission to make need-based planning as the problems of the NE states vary. Problems of every state should be assessed to remove the bottlenecks.

''We have enough manpower and plans. What we require is proper need-based allocation. The Centre should provide funds and monitor the projects. The states should be given free hand to prioritise implementation,'' Mr Apang said.

UNI UPB JYN PA DS1505